Antennaria plantaginifolia

Common Names

Pussytoes, Plantain-Leaved Pussytoes, Plantain-Leaved Everlasting, Ladies' Tobacco

Summary

Antennaria plantaginifolia, commonly known as pussytoes or plantain-leaved pussytoes, is a North American native perennial in the Asteraceae family. It forms a low, stoloniferous, mat-forming ground cover with evergreen, woolly gray-green foliage and clusters of small white flower heads that give a cat's paw appearance; blooming occurs in spring to early summer (April to June). It grows about 6–12 inches tall and 9–18 inches wide, spreading by stolons to create a carpet in lean, dry soils, and is native to dry woodlands, prairies, and rocky areas across eastern North America; hardy in USDA zones 3–8.

In cultivation, plant in full sun to light shade with dry, well-drained, gritty or rocky soils; drought-tolerant once established and well suited for rock gardens, rocky slopes, prairie plantings, or as a ground cover along banks or borders. Propagation is by division; the plant is low maintenance and supports wildlife, attracting butterflies and serving as a host plant for American Painted Lady butterfly larvae.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 inches

Spread

12-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, also tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade (light shade).

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, dry to medium moisture

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil that dries out almost completely between waterings

Soil pH

6.5-6.8, Acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to early Summer

Foliage Color

Gray-green to silvery-green foliage

Fall Foliage Color

Gray, Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and butterflies, attracts other pollinators