Dusty Miller Growing Guide

Centaurea cineraria

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Dusty miller tolerates light frost with ease, but can be damaged by hard freezes. Where winters are mild, dusty miller can be grown as a winter annual or short-lived perennial.

Feeding

Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth.

Spacing

Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7" (20cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow tiny dusty miller seeds atop moist seed starting mix and gently press them into the surface. Most gardeners buy dusty miller seedlings, which are widely available as bedding plants. Allow 12 inches (30cm) between tall varieties such as ‘Silver Lace’.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Dusty miller plants that survive winter produce clusters of small yellow flowers in spring. The flowers are usually clipped off to encourage the plants to develop new leaves. The light-catching gray foliage of dusty miller makes it a good choice for areas used in the evening.

Harvesting

Snip off blossoms and old leaves to keep plants looking neat. In fall, gather and dry perfect leaves before the plants are damaged by freezing weather.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Dusty Miller

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail