How to Grow Dusty Miller Ornamental Plants

About Growing Dusty Miller Plants in your Yard

Dusty Miller is an easy-to-grow ornamental plant. It makes an outstanding landscaping plant. This plant is grown for its silvery-gray, fern-like foliage. Dusty Miller makes terrific border and edging plants, offering a striking contrast to the colorful flowers and green colors of your lawn and garden. If you are growing Dusty Miller plants, you are doing so for the colorful foliage, and not for the flowers. If allowed, the plants will produce flowers. However, many gardeners pinch off the buds, as they are growing these plants strictly for the attractive foliage.

These plants look good in flowerpots on your patio or deck and in window boxes.

Plant Height: Some varieties grow up to 3 feet.

Other Names: Silver Dust

Dusty Miller Plant Propagation

These plants are grown from seed. Sow Dusty Miller seeds early in the season, covering lightly with soil. Sow seeds outdoors two to three weeks before the last frost in your area. In southern areas of the country, they can be directly seeded into your garden in the fall, too.

Start plants indoors, six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area, will give an early start for these showy plants.

Final Plant Spacing: The final spacing for the plants is 10″-12″ apart. They will tolerate a little crowding.

Days to Germination: 10 – 15 days.

How to Grow Dusty Miller Ornamental Plants

These plants are very easy to grow. They prefer a warm climate. The plants grow best in full sun. However, they tolerate partial shade. Once established, they thrive for several years. Note: In colder areas of the country, they are grown as annuals.

The plants grow best in rich, well-drained soil. Mix in plenty of compost before the first planting. Add organic mulch each season to replenish the soil.

Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week.

Add a general-purpose fertilizer once or twice a month.

As previously stated, Dusty Miller plants do produce flowers. You can remove them if desired. Trim plants as needed, to maintain an attractive shape.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.0.

Also, see:

Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Insects and Plant Disease

Dusty Miller is resistant to insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.