Silvery white or gray plants are rare in the garden, but one that almost always comes to mind is the dusty miller. This silver-white leaves of this popular bedding plant are unlike any foliage or flowering plant available. Planted by itself or in combination with other plants, dusty miller provides an eye-catching display during the day, and a dramatic silvery color if illuminated by moonlight at night.
Dusty miller is a plant originally from the Mediterranean region where it is partial to growing on rocky coastal areas. Very heat – and moderately drought-tolerant – dusty miller is covered in matted white, silvery hairs. This silvery appearance, coupled with deeply dissected leaves, makes for a very attractive look whether mass planted or mixed in with bedding flowers of complimentary shades such as pink, magenta, and/or violet. Grow this plant in full sun for best results with well-drained soil of average quality – do not over-water. Keep in mind that if grown in too much shade, dusty miller will lose some its silvery white coloration. While considered a tender perennial, the dusty miller is more often used as an annual and replaced when it gets too leggy. Space dusty miller from six to twelve inches apart for mass planting. Most dusty miller will grow no more than eight to fifteen inches into a well-rounded mound.
Just a note of caution as dusty miller – like several of our landscape plants – is toxic to people and pets if ingested. As such, plan and plant accordingly. On the positive side dusty miller is reportedly avoided by deer.
There are a number of named cultivars with ‘Silver Dust’ being commonly available and sporting silver-white, lacy leaves on ten-inch-tall plants. ‘Silver Queen’ is a bit more compact with eight inches plants and equally lacy leaves. Dusty miller, ‘Silver Lace’ has the laciest foliage in comparison to the previous cultivars. On the opposite end of the spectrum, ‘Cirrus’ is a cultivar with oak-like, rounded leaves – very different than the finely cut types. Dusty miller ‘New Look’ is also lace-less featuring flattened, lobed leaves while still maintaining the attractive silver-white look. These contrasting textures can add appeal to any landscape.
While you can buy ready-to-plant transplants, you can also grow your own dusty miller from seed. Propagation is fairly easy making sure you start the plants about ten weeks before they go out in the garden. In addition to mass planting, as a bedding plant, and in rock gardens, dusty miller adapts well to container culture as stand-alone specimens or mixed with other foliage and/or flowering annuals.
Using silver plants in the garden is a tried-and-true horticultural plan that pays off in big compliments. It is in fact a sterling idea! For more information on all types of colorful foliage plants – both annual and perennial – suited for our area, or to ask a question, you can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Gilman, E. F., Howe, T., Klein, R. W. & Hansen, G. (2023) Senecio cineraria Dusty Miller. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Mahr, S. (2025) Dusty Miller, Senecio cineraria. University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
Dusty Miller – Senecio cineraria. Hortanswers. (2025) University of Illinois Extension.
North Carolina Extension Calendar Plant Toolbox. Dusty Miller – Silver Ragwort (2025) . NC State University Cooperative Extension.
Trinklein, D. (2022) Cool Off with Gray Plants. Integrated Pest Management – University of Missouri.
Dusty Miller (2006) Growing Guide – Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Jacobaea maritima (2024) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobaea_maritima.
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