Dusty miller is an evergreen, perennial flowering plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the daisy family, Asteraceae. The plant has a sprawling habit, with silvery, white-gray foliage covered in a soft downy fuzz. The leaves are deeply lobed and have a jagged edge. The plant produces small yellow flowers in the summer, but they are generally not showy. Dusty miller is a popular ornamental plant, and is used in flower beds, borders, and as a ground cover. It is drought tolerant and prefers full sun, but will tolerate some shade. It is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.
Planning Your Garden With Dusty Miller
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Dusty Miller is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Dusty miller is a cold-tolerant plant, and can survive temperatures down to 32. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest dusty miller is usually around 45-50 days after sowing the seeds. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown dusty miller plant is between 12 and 18 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Dusty miller is a low-maintenance plant that can be grown in a variety of spacing. It typically thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and can be grown in beds or containers. For best results, space plants 12 to 18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Dusty miller is tolerant of full sun, but prefers partial shade. In areas with intense heat and direct sun, it can benefit from some afternoon shade. |
| Shade tolerance | Dusty Miller is a low to moderate shade tolerant plant. It can tolerate partial shade, but will not flower or grow as well as in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Dusty miller prefers well-drained soil and moderate amounts of water. Water the soil when the top inch is dry to the touch, and avoid over-watering. It is best to water in the morning so the foliage has time to dry out before nightfall. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing dusty miller depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1/2 to 1 pound per 100 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | Dusty miller prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Dusty Miller is Popular
People like to grow dusty miller because it is a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plant that adds texture and interest to a garden. It is also drought tolerant and can tolerate partial shade, making it an ideal choice for gardeners with limited time or space. Additionally, it is a great option for adding a splash of silver or gray to a garden.
Companion Plants For Dusty Miller
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for dusty miller include:
Common Pests For Dusty Miller
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow dusty miller, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- aphids
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
- scale insects
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
