# How to Grow Dusty Miller
Dusty miller plants, or Senecio cineraria, are tender perennials that are treated as annuals in most areas. They are well-known for their blue-green foliage, which looks as if it has been dusted with powder. The plants grow from 8 to 18 inches tall and form clumps up to 12 inches wide. Dusty miller thrives in full sun or light shade and soil with lots of drainage. Nutrient-rich soil produces the best results, but the plants survive even in locations with poor soil.
Things You'll Need
- Spade
- Organic compost
- Mulch
- Water-soluble liquid fertilizer
- Pruning shears
Instructions
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1
Pull weeds and grass from the growing location.
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2
Dig a hole with a spade that is equal the depth and double the width of the dusty miller's root system.
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3
Incorporate 2 inches of organic compost with the garden soil.
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4
Set the plant into the hole at its prior level, and cover the roots well with the loose soil.
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5
Water deeply, and spread 3 inches of mulch beneath the dusty miller plants to discourage weeds.
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6
Add moisture when the top inch of soil feels dry.
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7
Feed it one time every two weeks with water-soluble liquid fertilizer. Apply the amount indicated on the package directions.
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8
Trim back with pruning shears if growth becomes gangly. Eliminate blooms immediately, as they are not showy and drain energy away from foliage growth.
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