Senecio cineraria – Dusty Miller

Product Description

Dusty Miller is an attractive ornamental foliage plant prized for its striking silvery-white, velvety leaves. The soft, scalloped foliage creates beautiful contrast against green plants and colourful flowering plants, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers and decorative garden displays.

Its compact, bushy growth habit makes it particularly effective when planted in groups or used as an edging plant. The silver foliage provides colour and texture throughout the season and works beautifully in both modern and cottage-style gardens.

Common Names

• Dusty Miller
• Silver Dust
• Silver Ragwort
• Silver Cineraria
• Dusty Miller Senecio

Correct Botanical Name

Senecio cineraria
Current botanical name: Jacobaea maritima

Product Details

• Plant Type: Evergreen perennial/short-lived ornamental foliage plant
• Foliage: Soft, velvety, deeply lobed leaves
• Foliage Colour: Silvery-white to silver-grey
• Growth Habit: Compact and bushy
• Flowers: Yellow daisy-like flowers when allowed to flower
• Main Feature: Decorative silver foliage

Benefits

• 🤍 Beautiful silvery-white foliage
• 🌿 Excellent contrast plant
• 🌱 Attractive evergreen foliage
• 🌼 Complements colourful flowering plants
• 🪴 Excellent for containers and pots
• 🌿 Ideal for borders and edging
• ☀️ Performs well in sunny positions
• 🏡 Suitable for indoor and outdoor use

Recommended Growing Medium & Compost

Dusty Miller prefers well-drained soil with moderate fertility.

Recommended:

• Good-quality potting soil or loamy garden soil
• Well-decomposed compost
• Organic matter to improve soil structure
• Add coarse material such as perlite or grit where additional drainage is required

Avoid keeping the soil excessively wet.

Recommended Fertiliser

Use a balanced slow-release fertiliser during active growth to encourage healthy foliage and compact growth.

For Garden Mecca customers:

• Balanced slow-release fertiliser
• Mature compost as an organic soil conditioner
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage overly soft growth

Growing Conditions

• ☀️ Light: Full sun to partial shade
• 💧 Water: Moderate watering; allow the soil to dry slightly between watering
• 🌱 Soil: Well drained and moderately fertile
• 🌿 Growth: Compact and bushy
• ✂️ Maintenance: Remove faded flowers and damaged foliage to maintain a neat appearance