Dusty Miller

Cineraria maritima syn Senecio cineraria

Family: Asteraceae
Perennial.  Native to the shores of the Mediterranean.  With its silvery foliage and bright yellow flowers, this is a decorative plant, and is commonly seen in window boxes and city gardens, especially on the coast.  It reflects the rays of the moon at night, glowing beautifully. The fresh juice of the leaves and flowers was used traditionally to make an eye drop to dissolve cataracts. Internal use not recommended--contains unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Do not put seeds in eyes. Cultivation:  Sow seed in a flat or in a pot in the spring.   Average germ time 15 days.  Transplant seedlings to final location.  Drought and cold hardy.  Fire resistant.  Plant 1 foot apart.  Flowers 1 to 2 feet high. 

Return to Herb Seed Index