How to Grow Silver Spreader
Wikimedia Commons
Silver Spreader
Artemisia stelleriana
shrubSilver Spreader is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial shrub prized for its silvery-white, finely divided foliage. It produces small yellow flowers in summer but is primarily grown for its attractive, feathery leaves that create excellent ground cover. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in coastal and alpine environments.
When should you plant Silver Spreader in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Silver Spreader timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Silver Spreader
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Silver Spreader
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Silver Spreader dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, particularly in cooler climates and coastal regions
Sign up free to see if Silver Spreader grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Silver Spreader timeline →Growth Stages
Vegetative Spread
8-16 weeksPlant develops spreading stems and increasingly silvery, feathery foliage. Forms low mats 6-12 inches tall.
Reduce watering frequency. Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer sparingly in early spring. Reduce nitrogen to prevent excessive soft growth.
Maturation
Ongoing after 4-6 monthsDense mat of silvery foliage fills designated space. Plant is fully established and highly drought-tolerant.
Water only during extreme drought. No supplemental fertilizing needed. Plant is now self-sufficient in most climates.
Flowering
4-8 weeksSmall, inconspicuous yellow button-like flowers appear on short stems above the foliage in mid-to-late summer.
Deadhead flowers if desired to focus energy on foliage. Flowering is not the main ornamental feature.
Dormancy
8-12 weeksIn cooler zones, foliage may bronze slightly in winter but remains evergreen. Plant goes semi-dormant.
Reduce all supplemental water. No fertilizing. Plant survives on winter precipitation alone in most zones.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Prevent through excellent drainage and reduced watering. Remove affected plants. Do not mulch directly against crown.
-
Improve air circulation. Reduce overhead watering. Apply sulfur powder or neem oil if severe. Prune affected foliage.
-
Increase humidity slightly; spray foliage with water. Apply miticide if infestation is severe. Remove heavily infested stems.
-
and
Remove by hand. Use copper tape barriers around planting area. Apply iron phosphate-based bait if needed.
Uses
Ornamental ground cover
HouseholdCreates attractive silvery mats in rock gardens, containers, and border edging. Excellent for coastal landscapes, xeriscaping, and alpine gardens. Its fine texture contrasts beautifully with darker foliage plants. [source]
Dried floral arrangements
HouseholdSilvery foliage dries beautifully and retains color well, making it ideal for dried bouquets, wreaths, and craft arrangements. Cut stems in late summer for best color preservation. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalArtemisia species have been used in traditional medicine for digestive and antimicrobial purposes. However, Silver Spreader (A. stelleriana) is primarily ornamental; other Artemisia species are more commonly used medicinally. [source]
Pollinator and beneficial insect support
WildlifeSummer flowers attract bees and other pollinators. The dense foliage provides shelter and nesting habitat for beneficial insects. Creates wildlife-friendly xeriscape environments. [source]
Textile dyeing and basketry
CraftArtemisia foliage can be used to create natural dyes, producing yellow and olive tones. Dried stems are occasionally used in basketry and craft projects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Silver Spreader is not harvested for food or typical culinary use. For ornamental stems or dried arrangements, cut sprigs in late summer before or just after flowering, bunching and hanging upside-down in a cool, dry location. Foliage dries well and retains its silvery color.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Silver Spreader is native to northeastern Asia and coastal Siberia, explaining its remarkable cold-hardiness and salt-spray tolerance, making it ideal for seaside gardens.
- 🌱 The silvery appearance of the foliage comes from fine hairs (trichomes) that cover the leaf surface, reflecting light and reducing water loss—a natural adaptation to harsh coastal and alpine environments.
- 🌱 Artemisia stelleriana is also known as 'Old Woman' or 'Beach Wormwood' and has been used historically as a coastal erosion control plant due to its spreading habit and ability to stabilize sandy, saline soils.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Silver Spreader planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Silver Spreader seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Silver Spreader timeline →