As with most silvery, furry plants, growing dusty miller helps the garden remain attractive through the heat of the summer. Since the Dusty Miller is a resilient plant, you can water it once a week if the temperature is mild. Growing dusty miller can handle the heat, but is best planted where afternoon shade is available during the hottest months of summer. Trim the plant, if it becomes leggy mainly in the mid summer. This will ensure that you don’t overwater it, causing root rot or other fungal infections. If you live in a hotter region of the United States, this is probably the best method to use. This process of outdoor adaptation, called hardening off, helps plants grow strong and tough. It is typically grown for its ornamental foliage. Those living in colder climes may want to sow in a greenhouse because the season is more limited. The most important thing is that your soil is aerated properly, as this plant is more likely to be at risk for root rot in soils which are packed tightly and hold water. It has been classified as Senecio cineraria but some taxonomists now regard it as Jacobaea maritima. Sowing outdoors is infinitely easier. Uses. As soon as that happens, give them plenty of light —16 hours per day isn’t too much. Mulching is another good idea. Full sun is recommended, as the plant will become lanky and lose its compact growth habit in the shade. Harvesting. If your beds need some serious shaping up, then you should consider planting some dusty to shake things up a bit. The perfect choice for beds and borders. The leaves create a gorgeous contrast of color and texture next to other plants, and the plant itself is easy to raise and maintain. Start seeds indoors, 10 weeks before the date of the last killing frost. It entails putting them in outdoor conditions before actually planting them in the ground. You can use a granular slow-release fertilizer for the best results, as this won’t over-fertilize and it will keep providing nutrients for a long time. The first time I saw this plant I thought it was a type of unwanted weed. Dusty miller is drought-tolerant and doesn't grow well in damp, soggy soil. The one commonly used as an annual bedding plant is actually a perennial subshrub native to the Mediterranean. The plant grows 12 to 18 inches high, and can be planted throughout the United States. At that time, dusty millers happen to put out the most growth. Well, just because dusty millers are low maintenance, doesn’t mean that they don’t need any care at all. Regardless, that’s hardly anything that we can call maintenance intensive. Plant them in well drained garden soil and only water moderately until they have settled in. Place the container in an area where the temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees and where the seeds can receive lots of … The trouble with dusty miller is finding something not to like about it. Dusty Miller seeds are very tiny and germination requires light. Make sure you guys appreciate us and don't forget to Like, Share and Subscribe. Dusty Miller Care Must-Knows One of the main reasons that dusty miller has stuck around for so long is because it is extremely easy to grow. One writer, one garden, one experience and one blog. Dusty miller is a grayish-silver plant with midsized leaves. However, the fuzzy silver leaves are generally not attractive to animals. Dusty millers can be propagated by cuttings in the spring. Dusty Miller (S. cineraria) for example, belongs to this genus.Within the genus are included about 100 succulent species used as garden plants in warmer climates and as container-grown plants in other regions. Also Know, how much sun does Dusty Miller need? Damp, humid conditions put the plant at risk for stem rot, fungus and other moisture-related problems. It grows 18 inches tall and wide. Dusty miller preparations that are not certified and labeled “hepatotoxic PA-free” are considered UNSAFE. That means you won’t have to worry when the water is scarce, because your dusty miller will withstand the heat. Regular watering should be done in order to keep the soil evenly moist. In fact, it does well on rocky and poor soils as well. The dusty miller plant is the generic name given to a lot of plant varieties with gray or silver leaves. Cut off a 6-inch stem, and strip the leaves from the base. You can do this by shearing away the top 1/3 of the plant all at once, or by cutting away the long stems a little at a time. Whether you use Crushed Velvet plants indoors or out, plant them in light, well-draining soil. plant Dusty miller with. Get out there and sow some seeds. It’s an old favorite for a reason, and you’ll see why below. They don't seem to root in either water or growing medium. So I use dusty miller in spring, fall and mild winters. However, it works best in hot and dry places. Stunning as a border, hardy and resilient, Dusty Miller doesn't need much attention. Greenhouse Panels: Our Comprehensive Guide, 13 Modern Fence Ideas for Your Home Perimeter, What’s the Best Garden Hose Reel? Pelleted Dusty Miller Seed. There are several plants which work well with our silvery friend: Wave petunias add a bright pop of color to any garden.