PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Requires full sun exposure to maintain silvery foliage color; tolerates intense desert heat
Watering
Drought-tolerant; water deeply only when soil is completely dry, avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in hot, arid conditions; tolerates light frost down to -10°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Small, silvery-gray, densely hairy, crinkled (plicate) oval leaves
- Flower: Tiny, funnel-shaped pale blue to lavender flowers in terminal clusters
- Stem: Low, branching, woody at base, forming a compact, spreading mat
Care Guide
Watering
Water deeply once every 2–3 weeks; allow soil to fully dry between waterings
Fertilization
No regular fertilization needed. Excess fertilizer can reduce the intensity of silvery foliage
Eggshell powder topdressing：Crush dried eggshells into fine powder; sprinkle lightly on soil surface once every 3 months to improve soil structure without adding excess nutrientsPruning
- Trim back leggy stems in early spring to maintain compact mat shape
- Remove dead flower clusters to encourage tidy, dense growth
- Avoid heavy pruning; only trim 10–15% of foliage at a time to prevent stress
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats
Humans: No documented toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Xeriscaping ground cover, desert garden ornamental
