Botanical Name: Senecio cineraria (syn. Jacobaea maritima) Common Name: Dusty Miller Hardiness Zone: Annual in Most Climates; Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 8–10) Size: 10–18" Tall × 12–18" Spread Growth Habit: Upright to Mounding, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Color and Density); Tolerates Light Shade Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Sandy Soils Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage (Flowers Typically Removed) Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Fertility Features: Silvery-Gray Felted Leaves, Excellent Heat & Drought Tolerance, Deer Resistant Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Plantings, Edging, Foliage Contrast

Patent: ❌ Not Patented Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Dusty Miller Plant Guide for full care details.

More About Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller is a foundational foliage plant that I’ve leaned on for decades. The soft, silvery-gray leaves provide instant contrast the moment you plant it. That cool tone cuts through bright summer colors and keeps combinations from feeling overwhelming. The foliage is deeply lobed and velvety to the touch, almost suede-like, which gives containers and borders a refined texture you can’t replicate with green plants alone. 

One thing that really sets Dusty Miller apart is how well it handles tough conditions. Full sun doesn’t faze it. Heat doesn’t dull it. Even in stretches of dry weather, it keeps that bright silver color without collapsing or turning muddy. While we typically grow it as an annual here, in mild climates it can overwinter as a short-lived perennial and even develop a more shrubby presence over time. But even as a seasonal plant, it earns its space every year because it delivers consistency from planting day until frost.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

We’ve been growing Dusty Miller forever because it is one of the most reliable silver foliage plants available. It establishes quickly, roots in fast, and forms a uniform mound that holds its shape without constant grooming. Some foliage plants get floppy or uneven as the season progresses but this one stays structured and tidy. Another major plus is deer resistance. In areas where browsing is a constant frustration, Dusty Miller tends to be left alone, which adds a layer of dependability that homeowners appreciate. 

It’s not flashy in the traditional sense but it is a steady, reliable performer that we continue to use year after year. When you want structure, contrast, and something that will quietly carry a planting through the toughest part of summer, Dusty Miller is hard to beat.

Dusty Miller vs. Other Silver Foliage Plants

Compared to Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, Dusty Miller offers more structure and less trailing, making it better suited for borders and formal designs. While Dichondra provides movement, Dusty Miller delivers definition. When compared to Helichrysum (licorice plant), Dusty Miller has firmer structure and brighter silver, especially in full sun. For gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, sun-loving silver plant with classic appeal, Dusty Miller remains a go-to choice.