Woolly Daisy Bush Plant Care

Dasysphaera tomentosa Volkens ex Lopr.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's fuzzy, silver-gray leaves are its most striking feature. Originally from South Africa, Dasysphaera tomentosa is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in dry, arid conditions.

🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Woolly Daisy Bush?

Plant Woolly Daisy Bush in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Woolly Daisy Bush?

Woolly Daisy Bush (Dasysphaera tomentosa) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Dasysphaera genus. Woolly Daisy Bush is native to Australia. Woolly Daisy Bush is also known as Pompon Bush.

Woolly Daisy Bush displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Woolly Daisy Bush produces small clusters of inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Woolly Daisy Bush?

Water a young or newly planted Woolly Daisy Bush 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Woolly Daisy Bush Need?

Woolly Daisy Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly Daisy Bush Prefer?

Dasysphaera tomentosa tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Woolly Daisy Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly Daisy Bush?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Woolly Daisy Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly Daisy Bush?

Feed Woolly Daisy Bush 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 Woolly Daisy Bush?

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

Woolly Daisy Bush is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Woolly Daisy Bush?

Woolly Daisy Bush can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 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 Woolly Daisy Bush?

Prune Woolly Daisy Bush 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 Woolly Daisy Bush in Winter?

Woolly Daisy Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Woolly Daisy Bush?

Woolly Daisy Bush can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to velvet plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Woolly Daisy Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Woolly Daisy Bush, 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 Woolly Daisy Bush?

Woolly Daisy Bush 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Woolly Daisy Bush Need?

Woolly Daisy Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Woolly Daisy Bush is native to Australia. In cooler regions, grow Woolly Daisy Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Woolly Daisy Bush 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 Dasysphaera genus — compare its care with other Dasysphaera species on PlantoScan.

Dasysphaera is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.

Woolly Daisy Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Dasysphaera tomentosa Volkens ex Lopr., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 27: 53 (1894)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly Daisy Bush, 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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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