Cotton Everlasting Plant Care

Cotton Everlasting (Helichrysum gossypinum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Helichrysum genus. Cotton Everlasting is native to the island of Lanzarote of the Canary Islands.

Cotton Everlasting displays a compact, bushy habit growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Cotton Everlasting produces small, daisy-like flowers in various colors like yellow, orange, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cotton Everlasting 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.

Cotton Everlasting thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Helichrysum gossypinum tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Cotton Everlasting prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Cotton Everlasting to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cotton Everlasting 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.

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

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

Cotton Everlasting is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 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.

Cotton Everlasting 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.

Prune Cotton Everlasting 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.

Cotton Everlasting is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Cotton Everlasting can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to curry plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Cotton Everlasting 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.

Cotton Everlasting grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Cotton Everlasting is native to the island of Lanzarote of the Canary Islands. In cooler regions, grow Cotton Everlasting as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.