WashingtonGardener: Dusty Miller Plant Profile

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Dusty Miller Plant Profile

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima previously Senecio cineraria) is an annual or tender perennial grown for its silvery, fuzzy foliage. It occasionally flowers with yellow (or creamy white) daisy-like blossoms in clusters from spring to frost. It is also known as Silver Ragwort.

It is often confused with another Dusty Miller (Centaurea cineraria) which is also known as Silver Ragwort and Silver Dust.

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) is naïve to Northern Africa, western Asia, and Europe.

It is hardy to USDA Zones 7 to 10.

Dusty Miller prefers full sun and well-draining soils. Do not overwater it as it will cause root rot.

It is often used as a bedding plant or in mixed containers.

Depending on the cultivar, the leaves can be very fine and lacey or larger and fuller.

To propagate it, start seeds indoors 10-15 weeks before the last frost date. You can also take stem cuttings to overwinter it indoors. It is a relatively inexpensive and commonly available annual plant, so most people just purchase new plants each spring.

It is deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and can take shady conditions as well.

Dusty Miller is low-maintenance. It does not need fertilizing. Remove any flowers to encourage fuller foliage growth.

Dusty Miller: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Video and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

Additional Photos from Wikipedia Commons

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