Antennaria Plantaginifolia (An-ten-AR-ee-uh, Plan-tagini-fo-lia) is an evergreen perennial adding charm to any type of garden.
This plant is from the Asteraceae (Aster family) and belongs to the Antennaria genus.
It is native to North America and the eastern part of the United States, including Maine, Florida, Texas, and Minnesota.
It is typically found growing in open woodlands, rocky or dry slopes, meadows, and prairies.
It also attracts the American painted lady butterflies, which makes any landscape more lively.
The synonyms of this plant include:
- Antennaria Caroliniana
- Gnaphalium Plantaginifolium
- Antennaria Petiolata
- Antennaria Nemoralis
- Antennaria Plantaginifolia var. Petiolata
- Antennaria Pinetorum
- Antennaria Decipiens
The scientific name of this plant is Antennaria Dioica, and its common names include:
- Pussytoes
- Dog’s toes
- Mouse ear
- Ladies’ tobacco
- Poverty weed
- Plain-leaved everlasting
- Woman’s tobacco
- Plantain-leaf pussytoes
- Plantain-leaved pussytoes
- Plantain-leaved everlasting
Antennaria Plantaginifolia Plant Care
Size & Growth
Pussytoes is a mat-forming plant growing about 6″ inches tall, with grayish and woolly flower stalks and leaves.
The plant forms rosettes of basal leaves and erect stems sprouting inflorescences.
Flowering and Fragrance
During late spring, this plant produces fuzzy, non-showy flower heads on top of its basal rosettes.
The bloom time of this plant is between April and June.
The flowers resemble small cat’s paws, hence its common name.
This plant is dioecious, meaning it sprouts female and male flowers on separate plants.
The bloom color of the male flowers is white, and the female flowers are whitish-pink.
Light & Temperature
The ladies’ tobacco flourishes well in full sun.
Make sure to place this plant where it can enjoy at least six hours of sunlight.
The USDA hardiness zone for this plant is 3 to 9.
Watering and Feeding
The plantain-leaved pussytoes prefer dry to normal levels of moistures.
The soil mixture must be well-draining, and standing water often proves fatal for this plant.
However, follow the usual watering routine throughout its first growing season in order to establish an extensive, deep root system.
After the plant establishes, it only requires occasional watering.
Soil & Transplanting
This plant grows best in well-draining rocky to gritty, lean soil mixtures.
Avoid humusy, and fertile soil as the plant won’t do well, especially if the soil moisture is low.
It is not fuzzy about the pH level of the soil and grows well in poor soils.
It is incredibly tolerant of urban pollution and thrives in a city environment.
When growing in optimal conditions, like in dry soil mixture, it quickly spreads through stolons and forms a beautiful ground cover.
Grooming and Maintenance
These native plants don’t require a lot of maintenance.
However, it is not tolerant too poorly-drained and wet soils.
The excessive moisture may lead to fungal diseases and rotting if not treated.
Make sure the soil surface dries off entirely between watering.
If planting in colder climates, you may notice the basal leaves dying back.
It is normal, and they will re-sprout in the spring season.
Make sure to cut off spent blooms in the spring to enhance the foliage and to give the plant a neat look.
How To Propagate Antennaria Pussytoes
The propagation of this plant is done using cuttings, divisions, or seeds.
The seeds of this plant are slightly challenging to collect as they quickly disperse once they ripen.
Use an open frame to sow the seeds during the fall or spring season.
This may be done indoors and then transplanted outdoors once at least three sets of leaves are produced.
Use garden soil or seed starting mix to sow the seeds.
Keep misting the seedlings to keep the soil moist. Avoid making the soil soggy.
When the seedlings have hardened, and the last frost has passed, transplant them in their permanent positions.
Water regularly until the young plant establishes.
Antennaria Pussytoes Plant Pest or Diseases
The pussytoes plant doesn’t experience severe disease or pest issues.
However, it is not easy to grow unless its preferred soil conditions are provided.
Be on a lookout for smut, powdery mildew, leaf spot, and phyllosilicate.
Opt for the usual treatments to treat the plant.
This plant is resistant to rabbits, deer, but attracts pollinating insects like painted lady butterfly.
Antennaria Plantaginifolia Plant Uses
The ladies’ tobacco creates a stunning ornamental feature due to its gray, soft foliage.
This plant is fast-growing, which makes it an excellent ground cover in rocky areas, prairie areas, rock gardens, pathways, and slopes.
Moreover, it is drought tolerant, making it the right choice for xeriscape or low-water gardens.