Raceme Pussytoes (Antennaria racemosa)

Photo: Thayne TuasonCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Raceme Pussytoes Plant Care

Antennaria racemosa Hook.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is known for its fuzzy, silvery leaves that give it a unique, almost ghostly appearance. Native to North America, Antennaria racemosa is a favorite among plant collectors for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in rocky, sandy soils. Its compact, mat-forming growth habit makes it a great choice for rock gardens and alpine plantings.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to part shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Raceme Pussytoes?

Water Raceme Pussytoes every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Raceme Pussytoes Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Raceme Pussytoes?

Raceme Pussytoes (Antennaria racemosa) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Antennaria genus. Raceme Pussytoes is native to western North America from British Columbia and Alberta south as far as northern California and Wyoming. Raceme Pussytoes is also known as Antennaria petasites, Antennaria piperi.

Raceme Pussytoes displays a low-growing mat-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Raceme Pussytoes produces small white or pink fluffy flowers in dense clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Raceme Pussytoes?

Antennaria racemosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Raceme Pussytoes Need?

Raceme Pussytoes thrives in full sun to part shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to part shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Raceme Pussytoes Prefer?

Antennaria racemosa grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Raceme Pussytoes prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Raceme Pussytoes?

Well-draining sandy soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Raceme Pussytoes to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Raceme Pussytoes?

Feed Raceme Pussytoes every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 3 months

During the growing season

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

How Do You Repot a Raceme Pussytoes?

Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Raceme Pussytoes?

Raceme Pussytoes can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine pussytoes plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Raceme Pussytoes Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Raceme Pussytoes, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Raceme Pussytoes?

Raceme Pussytoes is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Raceme Pussytoes Need?

Raceme Pussytoes grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Raceme Pussytoes is native to western North America from British Columbia and Alberta south as far as northern California and Wyoming.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 4a – 8b

Keep exploring plants

Raceme Pussytoes is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Antennaria genus — compare its care with other Antennaria species on PlantoScan.

Antennaria is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Raceme Pussytoes thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Antennaria Species

Other Antennaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Antennaria racemosa Hook., family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1(suppl.): 330 (1834)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Raceme Pussytoes, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: Thayne Tuason, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Raceme Pussytoes Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species