Pellitory Plant Care

Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Anacyclus genus. Pellitory is native to Mediterranean Europe and parts of North Africa. Pellitory is also known as Spanish Pellitory, Pyrethrum, Anacyclus depressus.

Pellitory displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Pellitory produces daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pellitory every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pellitory thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Anacyclus pyrethrum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Pellitory prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Pellitory to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pellitory every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pellitory is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pellitory can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Pellitory while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Pellitory is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Pellitory can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to anacyclus ciliatus plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pellitory is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Pellitory grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Pellitory is native to Mediterranean Europe and parts of North Africa.