Cineraria

Cineraria Care

Senecio Cineraria

What is the plant

A hardy, low-maintenance perennial, dusty miller (Senecio cineraria), is valued for its fuzzy, silvery-gray foliage that serves as an effective contrast to flowering plants. Dusty miller is often planted in flower beds and is especially striking in containers where the lacy foliage is viewed up close. Dusty miller comes in several varieties, all of which have silvery foliage, but the shape of the leaves is slightly different. The mature height of the plant ranges from 8 to 18 inches. Although dusty miller is often grown as an annual, it is perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min -7°C

Hardiness zone

8 - 12

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Dusty miller is drought-tolerant and doesn't grow well in damp, soggy soil. Damp, humid conditions put the plant at risk for stem rot, fungus and other moisture-related problems. The plant does benefit from regular watering during warm, dry weather. Water the dusty miller deeply enough to saturate the root zone, and then don't water again until the soil dries. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, which develops weak roots and unhealthy plants.
Pruning
Cut perennial dusty miller down to 3 to 4 inches from the ground in spring to make room for new growth. A tired, leggy plant is revived in midsummer by removing about one-third of the growth. A plant that begins to look crowded and less healthy with age benefits from division, usually every two to three years.
Fertilizer
Dusty miller is a light feeder and too much fertilizer may result in a weak, leggy plant that requires more water. It benefits from a light application of a general-purpose, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. To apply the fertilizer, sprinkle 2 to 3 teaspoons of dry fertilizer around every plant, and then water deeply to prevent scorching and to distribute the fertilizer evenly around the roots. After that, you don't need to fertilize.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
It prefers full to partial sun and complements other brightly-coloured flowers with its muted, elegant silver-grey foliage.
Soil
It needs well-drained soil, and flourishes with winter rains.
Temperature
Lowest Temperature:10° to 20°F (-12° to -7°C)