Dusty Miller Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The 'Silver Dust' variety of Dusty Miller features deeply lobed and intricately cut silvery-gray to white leaves. These leaves have a soft, felt-like texture due to fine hairs covering them, giving them a shimmering appearance, hence the moniker 'silver'. The overall shape of the leaf can resemble a delicate, fine-cut lace, contributing to a striking visual effect in gardens. The plant is known for its foliage rather than its flowers, which are small, yellow, and not particularly showy. The Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' is sought after for its ability to provide a contrast with other plants in garden beds and containers due to its unique coloration and texture.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Asteraceae.
- Synonyms
  Silver Ragwort, Dusty Miller.
- Common names
  Senecio cineraria, Senecio bicolor, Cineraria maritima.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust') contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic to humans if ingested. The toxicity can lead to liver damage, which may manifest as hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The symptoms of poisoning might include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, liver failure. Chronic consumption can lead to cumulative liver damage and potentially serious health issues.
- To pets
  Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust') is also toxic to pets due to its pyrrolizidine alkaloids content. If pets ingest this plant, they may experience similar symptoms to humans, such as liver damage, which can lead to signs of lethargy, loss of appetite, jaundice, abdominal swelling, and potentially liver failure if consumed in large quantities. It is important to prevent pets from ingesting any part of this plant to avoid possible poisoning.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Biennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Silvery-gray
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  8
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Drought Tolerance: Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust', commonly known as Dusty Miller, can survive in dry conditions once established, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Dusty Miller requires minimal care other than occasional water and trimming back old foliage to encourage new growth.
- Pest Resistance: The plant has a natural resistance to many pests, reducing the need for chemical insecticides.
- Silver Foliage: The striking silver-gray foliage provides a beautiful contrast in the garden and can complement colorful flowering plants.
- Deer Resistance: Dusty Miller is not a preferred food source for deer, making it a good choice for gardens in deer-prone areas.
- Versatility: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and rock gardens.
- Sun Tolerance: This plant thrives in full sun, making it ideal for sunny garden spots that may be unsuitable for less hardy plants.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust', commonly known as Dusty Miller, can be used in crafting and scrapbooking, as its textured and colored leaves add an interesting dimension when pressed and included in art projects.
- Dusty Miller leaves can be employed in the dyeing process, as their silver-grey color can be transferred to textiles, giving them a soft, muted hue.
- In culinary presentations, Dusty Miller leaves can be used as a decorative non-toxic garnish for dishes, enhancing the plate's overall aesthetic appeal.
- These plants can be integrated into a sensory garden for their unique texture, providing a tactile experience for visitors, especially beneficial in educational settings or therapy gardens.
- Gardeners can use Dusty Miller in moon gardens, where their reflective foliage can illuminate garden paths and beds by reflecting moonlight at night.
- During the holiday season, Dusty Miller can serve as an alternative to more traditional evergreens in wreaths and festive decorations due to its delicate, lacy foliage.
- This plant can act as a natural marker in gardens due to its distinct color, helping to visually separate different sections or highlight boundary lines between garden beds.
- For photographers, Dusty Miller provides a unique backdrop for macro photography, offering a contrast to vibrant flowers or insects being photographed.
- The leaves of Dusty Miller can be used as stencils for painting projects, allowing designers to incorporate their intricate leaf patterns into creative designs.
- In fashion, the foliage of Dusty Miller can inspire textile patterns or embellishments on clothing, providing a natural and organic element to fabric designs.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Dusty Miller is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Dusty Miller is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: The silvery foliage of Senecio cineraria, commonly known as Silver Dust, is believed to reflect negativity, offering protective qualities to its surroundings.
- Longevity: Silver Dust is known for its durability and resistance to harsh conditions, symbolizing endurance and the ability to withstand the test of time.
- Purity: The bright silver hue of its leaves is often associated with cleanliness and purity, as silver itself is a symbol of clarity and purity in various cultures.
- Peace: The soft, mellow appearance of Silver Dust can evoke a sense of calm and peace, making it a perfect addition to gardens designed for reflection and serenity.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Dusty Miller should be watered regularly, with the top inch of soil allowed to dry out between waterings. Typically, this means you might water thoroughly once every week, but this can vary depending on climate and weather conditions. It's important not to overwater, as this plant is drought-resistant and prefers drier conditions. When watering, aim to provide about one to two gallons of water for an established plant, making sure water penetrates deeply into the soil to reach the roots without leaving the plant in standing water.
Light
For Dusty Miller, a location with full sun to partial shade is ideal. They thrive in bright, direct light for at least 6 hours a day but can also tolerate some light afternoon shade. The best spot for these plants would be an area that gets ample morning sunlight, which promotes healthy growth and silver foliage coloration.
Temperature
Dusty Miller prefers moderate temperatures, thriving in a range between 60°F and 75°F. They can tolerant cold down to about 25°F and heat up to approximately 80°F, but prolonged exposure to temperatures outside this range can be detrimental. The ideal conditions are moderate, avoiding extreme heat or frost.
Pruning
Prune Dusty Miller to maintain its shape and encourage denser foliage. It's best to prune in the spring, snipping off any winter-damaged stems to promote new growth. You might also prune in the summer if the plant becomes leggy or overgrown. Generally, occasional light pruning a few times during the growing season is sufficient.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix containing equal parts garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand would be ideal for ensuring good drainage and aeration.
Repotting
Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' does not need frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its container.
Humidity & Misting
Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average room humidity. It does not require high humidity environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  8-10 USDA
Life cycle
Dusty Miller 'Silver Dust' (Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust') begins its life as a seed, typically sown indoors before the last frost and then transplanted outside after germination. Upon taking root in well-draining soil and full sun, it progresses to a vegetative state, developing its iconic silvery-grey foliage. During this growth period, the leaves will expand, forming a mounded shape that can reach up to 8 inches tall and wide. The plant may produce small yellow flowers in its second year, though they are often removed to encourage leaf growth. Dusty Miller is a short-lived perennial or biennial, commonly grown as an annual, and will complete its life cycle in two years in suitable climates. It can self-seed if flowers are not removed, continuing its life cycle without human intervention.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Silver Dust, scientifically known as Jacobaea maritima 'Silver Dust', is most commonly propagated through seeds. The ideal time for sowing seeds is in late winter to early spring. Seeds should be placed on the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix, as they require light to germinate. The sowing container can be placed in a warm spot with temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 21 degrees Celsius), and the soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Germination typically occurs within 2 to 3 weeks, after which the seedlings can be thinned and eventually transplanted to their final position once the risk of frost has passed.