Ciliate Cudweed (Filago canescens)

Photo: AlogirafCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Ciliate Cudweed Plant Care

Filago canescens Jord.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Filago pyramidata, the broadleaf cottonrose or broad-leaved cudweed, is a European plant species in the sunflower family. It is native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East, plus Great Britain, the Low Countries, and Germany. It is also naturalized in scattered locations in North America (British Columbia, Oregon, California) and Australia (South Australia, Victoria), Pakistan, and other places.

🌱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 Ciliate Cudweed?

Water Ciliate Cudweed 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 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Ciliate Cudweed Native To?

Native range37 countries

What Is the Ciliate Cudweed?

Ciliate Cudweed (Filago canescens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Filago genus. Ciliate Cudweed is native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East, plus Great Britain, the Low Countries, and Germany. Ciliate Cudweed is also known as Gnaphalium germanicum, Gifola germanica, Impia germanica.

Ciliate Cudweed displays a low-growing, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Ciliate Cudweed produces small, clustered yellow or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Ciliate Cudweed?

Filago canescens 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 Ciliate Cudweed Need?

Ciliate Cudweed thrives in full sun to part shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to part shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ciliate Cudweed Prefer?

Filago canescens grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Ciliate Cudweed prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ciliate Cudweed?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Ciliate Cudweed to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Ciliate Cudweed?

Feed Ciliate Cudweed every 6 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 6 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 Ciliate Cudweed?

Repot every 1-2 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 Ciliate Cudweed?

Ciliate Cudweed can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to broadleaf cudweed plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Ciliate Cudweed Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Ciliate Cudweed, 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 Ciliate Cudweed?

Ciliate Cudweed 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 Ciliate Cudweed Need?

Ciliate Cudweed grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Ciliate Cudweed is native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East, plus Great Britain, the Low Countries, and Germany.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 7a – 10b

Keep exploring plants

Ciliate Cudweed 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 Filago genus — compare its care with other Filago species on PlantoScan.

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

Ciliate Cudweed 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: Filago canescens Jord., family Asteraceae (first published in Observ. Pl. Nouv. iii. (1846) 202) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ciliate Cudweed, 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: Alogiraf, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 10b, 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.

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