Silver Celmisia (Celmisia argentea)

Photo: John SteelCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Silver Celmisia Plant Care

Celmisia argentea Kirk

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Celmisia argentea, also known as silver snow daisy, is a stunning perennial plant with silvery-green leaves that have a unique woolly texture. Its compact growth habit and eye-catching foliage make it a popular choice for rock gardens or alpine plantings.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Silver Celmisia?

Plant Silver Celmisia in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Silver Celmisia?

Silver Celmisia (Celmisia argentea) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Celmisia genus. Silver Celmisia is native to New Zealand, Australia.

Silver Celmisia displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Silver Celmisia produces daisy-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Silver Celmisia?

Water a young or newly planted Silver Celmisia every 7–14 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Silver Celmisia Need?

Silver Celmisia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Silver Celmisia Prefer?

Celmisia argentea tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Silver Celmisia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Silver Celmisia?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Silver Celmisia?

Feed Silver Celmisia 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Silver Celmisia?

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

Silver Celmisia is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Silver Celmisia?

Silver Celmisia can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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.

How Do You Prune a Silver Celmisia?

Prune Silver Celmisia 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.

How Do You Care for a Silver Celmisia in Winter?

Silver Celmisia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Silver Celmisia?

Silver Celmisia can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrow-leafed mountain daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Silver Celmisia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Silver Celmisia, 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 Silver Celmisia?

Silver Celmisia is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Silver Celmisia Need?

Silver Celmisia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Silver Celmisia is native to New Zealand, Australia. In cooler regions, grow Silver Celmisia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Silver Celmisia 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 Celmisia genus — compare its care with other Celmisia species on PlantoScan.

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

Silver Celmisia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Celmisia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Celmisia argentea Kirk, family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. New Zealand : 292) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Silver Celmisia, 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: John Steel, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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.

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