
Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, AustraliaCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
antillarum Plant Care
Gamochaeta antillana (Urb.) Anderb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its unique silvery-gray leaves covered in soft white hairs, this plant originates from the Caribbean islands. Plant collectors are drawn to Gamochaeta antillana for its striking foliage that adds texture and interest to any garden or collection.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for antillarum?
Plant antillarum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–11b) 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.
Where Is the antillarum Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United States
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the antillarum?
antillarum (Gamochaeta antillana) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Gamochaeta genus. antillarum is native to the Greater Antilles and to the southeastern United States. antillarum is also known as Gamochaeta antillana.
antillarum displays a low spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. antillarum produces small white or yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a antillarum?
Water a young or newly planted antillarum 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 antillarum Need?
antillarum thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the antillarum Prefer?
Gamochaeta antillana tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. antillarum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a antillarum?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for antillarum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a antillarum?
Feed antillarum 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 antillarum?
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.
antillarum is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.
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 antillarum?
antillarum 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 antillarum?
Prune antillarum 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 antillarum in Winter?
antillarum is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, 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.
How Do You Propagate a antillarum?
antillarum can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american cudweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the antillarum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list antillarum, 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 antillarum?
antillarum 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 antillarum Need?
antillarum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. antillarum is native to the Greater Antilles and to the southeastern United States.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
antillarum 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 Gamochaeta genus — compare its care with other Gamochaeta species on PlantoScan.
Gamochaeta is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
antillarum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Gamochaeta Species
Other Gamochaeta species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gamochaeta antillana (Urb.) Anderb., family Asteraceae (first published in Opera Bot. 104: 157 (1991):.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list antillarum, 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: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, 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.
