How to Grow and Care for Dusty Miller -- Garden Chronicle

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Dusty Miller, Centaurea cineraria, with its silver velvety foliage adds light to gardens. The leaves are nearly reflective as walkway edgings at night. Its compact form fits nicely in open spots in beds and borders. Summer flowers are usually mustard yellow and occasionally purple, but they are nearly an afterthought to the decorative foliage.

Centaurea cineraria grow 6 to 24 inches (15-61cm) tall and 6 to 18 inches (15-45cm) wide. It prefers relatively dry soil and tolerates heat. It is a good choice for window boxes and containers. In mild winter climates, it can be grown as a perennial.

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Centaurea cineraria belong to a genus of about 450 species. Other members of the genus often grown in gardens are Centaurea cyanus, commonly called bachelor’s button, and Centaurea montana, mountain bluet.

Senecio cineraria is a perennial version of Dusty Miller.

Dusty Miller surrounding marigolds in decorative planting

Table of Contents

Get to know Dusty Miller

Plant type: Perennial is often grown as an annual
Growing Zones and range: Zones 6-11
Hardiness: annual in Zones 2-5; perennial in Zones 6-11
Height and width: 6 to 24 inches (15-61cm) tall; 6 to 18 inches (15-45cm) wide
Foliage: Compact clumps 1- 1½ feet high of strap-shaped, lobed, velvety gray-white leaves
Flowers: Small yellow blooms in the second year of growth
Bloom time: Mustard yellow flowers appear in the second year
Uses: Edging, borders, and filler in beds
Garden companions: Grow as a complement to perennials with purple and pink flowers
Common name: Dusty Miller
Botanical name: Centaurea cineraria
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Europe and the Mediterranean

Related Centaurea articles:

How to Grow Bachelor’s Buttons — Centaurea cyanus

How to Grow Centaurea Montana — Perennial Cornflower

Where to plant Dusty Miller

Plant dusty miller in full sun.
Grow dusty miller in average garden soil that is well drained.

Dusty Miller uses

Excellent container plant; tolerates heat.
The cool hue of dusty miller complements hot-colored flowers such as petunias, salvias, and geraniums.
Adds texture and interest to mixed plantings in patio containers and window boxes.
Use foliage material for cut flower arrangements.

Centaurea cineraria, Dusty Miller — *Centaurea cineraria*, dusty miller

When to plant Dusty Miller

Set dusty miller in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed.

Planting and spacing Dusty Miller

Space dusty miller 6 to 18 inches apart.

How to water and feed Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller needs light moisture. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Avoid wetting leaves. Dusty Miller is drought tolerant.
Dusty Miller planted in average garden soil will not need extra fertilizer.

Dusty Miller care

Mulch with aged compost around dusty miller to conserve soil moisture.
Trim back plants after flowering to keep plants compact.
Aphids can sometimes attack dusty miller.

Dusty Miller plant surrounded by colorful annuals.

Dusty Miller propagation

Take cuttings in spring or summer to start new plants.
Start seed indoors; from seed dusty miller is slow growing.

Dusty Miller varieties to grow

Centaurea cineraria, dusty miller. Silver-leafed plant; felty white, divided foliage. Cultivars: ‘Silver Dust’ and ‘Silver Lace’ have lacy foliage.
‘Cirrus’ has rounded foliage.
Centaurea gymnocarpa, also called dusty miller, grows to 3 feet with velvety white leaves; flower heads are purple.
Senecio cineraria is a perennial version of dusty miller.

Centaurea cineraria and chrysanthemum ptarmiciflorum — Dusty miller, silver lace

Leaves of Centaurea cineraria are bluntly lobed, while those of Chrysanthemum ptarmiciflorum are lacier. The silver-white leaves of both enhance the colorful flowers of other plants when tucked between or planted in a drift. The common name dusty miller refers to the silvery gray, felt-covered leaves.

Size: 6 inches to 1 ½ feet tall and as wide.
Light: Full sun.
Soil and moisture: Average to rich, well-drained soil; moderate moisture.
Planting and propagation: Sow uncovered indoors, at 75° to 80°F, 10 weeks before the last frost, or use nursery starts. In Zones 10-11, set out in fall. Space 1 to 1 ½ feet apart.
Special care: Remove flower stems in bad stage; cut back to keep compact.
Pest and diseases: Root rot is common in wet soil; aphids, downy mildew, aster yellow-virus, and rust are sometimes a problem.
Climate: C. cineraria, half-hardy annual in Zones 2-4; perennial in Zones 5-11, but best replanted each year and treated as annual, Chrysanthemum ptarmiciflorum, annual in Zones 2-11. Both prefer warm weather.
Cultivars and similar species: ‘Cirrus,’ less lobed than species; ‘Silverdust,’ 7 inches tall, more finely cut. Chrysanthemum ptarmiciflorum ‘Silver Lace,’ 7 inches tall, lacy.
Garden use: Plant in groups in beds and borders to form bold contrast; use as edging or in window boxes and containers.

Centaurea cyanus — Bachelor’s button, cornflower

Bright blue cornflowers bloom midsummer in mixtures that combine blue with white, pink, and purple. The 1 ½ inch-wide flowers stand out against the gray-green stems and small, narrow leaves. Cornflowers often self-sow.

Size: 1 to 3 feet tall; half as wide.
Light: The best bloom occurs in full sun.
Soil and moisture: Best in sandy loam with moderate moisture; tolerates poor soil and drought.
Planting and propagation: Sow in the garden after the last frost, or indoors, at 60° to 76°F, four weeks earlier for summer bloom. Sow in the garden in late summer or fall for spring bloom. Space 6 inches to 1 ¼ feet apart.
Special care: Deadhead after first flush of bloom to prolong bloom period.
Pest and diseases: Aphids can sometimes be serious.
Climate: Biennial grown as warm-season annual in Zones 2-8; cool-season annual in warmer parts of Zone 9 and in Zones 10-11.
Cultivars: ‘Blue Boy,’ 2 to 3 feet tall, blue; ‘Jubilee Fem,’ 1-foot tall, deep blue, dense; ‘Polka Dot,’ 1 ¼ feet tall, white, blue, crimson.
Garden use: Delicate plant for weaving with other flowers in borders, cottage gardens, and meadow planting; good cut flower.

Dusty Miller frequently asked questions

Q: I have seen several plants called Dusty Miller. Why?

A: Dusty miller is a common name given to several plants that have white, silver, or gray foliage, and no significant flowers. They may be members of the Senecio, Centaurea, or Chrysanthemum genera.

Q: How do I grow dusty miller?

A: Dusty miller likes full sun or partial shade, light dry soil, and little fertilizer. If the plants become leggy, they can be cut back.

Q: I have seed dusty miller with very fine foliage. What was it?

A: It was probably Silver Lace, which has extremely lacy, finely-cut leaves. For an interesting contrast, plant Silver Lace with Silverdust or Cirrus which have broader leaves.

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