Even white flowers benefit from the glow of dusty miller’s woolly textured leaves in moon gardens.
Otherwise, it grows as an annual.
This sun lover prefers full sun exposure and might get leggy if placed in a shady spot.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Sow seeds in the ground after the last spring frost and expect seedlings in two to three weeks.
Seedlings turn into rounded mounds of foliage that grow to about 1 foot tall in the first year.
Pruning is optional, but remove yellowing leaves or floral sprigs to keep this plant looking full and healthy.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Dusty miller grows well in the ground or many types of containers.
Dusty miller (a throw in of ragwort) is toxic to humansand animals.
Silver Dust vs. Mugwort
Mugwort plants (Artemisiaspp.)
The Spruce / Kara Riley
have the same silvery leaves and deeply dissected foliage as dusty miller.
Dusty miller sometimes survives the winter in zones colder than its usual hardiness zones.
Gardeners report plants coming back in zone 5 or even zone 4 landscapes.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Another surprise is that dusty miller’s yellow flowers may appear in its second growing season.
Light
Dusty miller needs full sun to stay compact and keep their fabulous foliage color.
Plants growing in the shade are leggy and produce fewer hairs, giving them a silvery color.
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Soil
Dusty miller plants adapt to various soils, but good drainage is key for healthy plants.
A layer of organic mulch will make plants even less dependent on supplemental irrigation.
An inch of water per week keeps dusty miller growing strong.
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It does not like soggy conditions.
Temperature and Humidity
As a Mediterranean plant, dusty miller thrives in hot, sunny climates.
Excessive humidity isn’t a problem if plants have adequate spacing and a position in full sun.
Dusty Miller Silver LaceAkilina Winner/Getty Images
Fertilizer
Dusty miller plants are light feeders and only need supplemental fertilizers in areas with poor soil.
Cover seeds lightly with sterile potting mix, and grow at 70F.
You will start to see germination in about 10 days.
Dusty Miller CirrusDaniel Saumbraus/Getty Images
After the last frost date, take the seedlings outside to begin the process ofhardening off.
Plant outdoors 8 inches apart in pots or 10 inches apart in the ground.
Some varieties are lacy and delicate, while others are slightly lobed.
It also makes a handsome companion plant for other sun lovers likezinnias,pentas, orsalvia.
Ornamental grasses look attractive with dusty miller, providing a different texture to the garden.
Pruning
Dusty miller plants require no pruning to maintain their pleasing bushy shape.
If the yellow blooms detract from your plant’s appearance, shear them off as they appear.
Use any commercial potting soil when potting dusty miller.
check that your container has drainage holes.
Add a handful of peat moss to increase acidity.
A layer of mulch on the soil will retain water and keep the soil from splashing onto the leaves.
When you see roots coming out of the drainage hole, it’s time to repot.
In addition to attracting slugs, excessive watering can cause root rot in dusty miller plants.
This is more of a problem in clay soils.
A protected location certainly increases your chances.
Once it dies back in winter, many gardeners pull it and treat it as an annual.
Dusty miller tends to be resistant to pests and disease.
It doesn’t necessarily repel bugs, but insects seem to leave it alone.
Dusty miller grows smaller mounds of delicate, yet crisp, and slightly glossy leaves.
Lamb’s ear has soft, pliable, velvety leaves that are a bit fuzzy.
Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants.University of California.
1, pp.80-84, 2020. doi:10.1653/024.103.0413
