Photo: Alice ShanksCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Woolly plantain Plant Care
Plantago lanigera Hook.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The Plantago lanigera is easily identifiable by its broad, fuzzy leaves that have a silvery hue. Originating from the Mediterranean region, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique foliage and ability to thrive in dry, rocky environments.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Woolly plantain?
Plant Woolly plantain in full sun to part shade (USDA zones 7b–9b) and water a young shrub every 3–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Woolly plantain Native To?
What Is the Woolly plantain?
Woolly plantain (Plantago lanigera) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Plantago genus. Woolly plantain is native to New Zealand. Woolly plantain is also known as Woolly ribwort.
Woolly plantain displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Woolly plantain produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers on slender spikes.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Woolly plantain?
Water a young or newly planted Woolly plantain every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Woolly plantain Need?
Woolly plantain thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly plantain Prefer?
Plantago lanigera tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Woolly plantain prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly plantain?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Woolly plantain to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly plantain?
Feed Woolly plantain 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 plantain?
Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Woolly plantain is suited to USDA Zone 7b – 9b.
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 plantain?
Woolly plantain can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 plantain?
Prune Woolly plantain 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 plantain in Winter?
Woolly plantain is hardy down to USDA zone 7b, 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 Woolly plantain?
Woolly plantain can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african plantain plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Woolly plantain Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Woolly plantain, 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 plantain?
Woolly plantain is susceptible to aphids, snails, slugs. 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 plantain Need?
Woolly plantain grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Woolly plantain is native to New Zealand.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7b – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Woolly plantain 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 Plantago genus — compare its care with other Plantago species on PlantoScan.
Plantago is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Woolly plantain thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Plantago Species
Other Plantago species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Plantago lanigera Hook.f., family Plantaginaceae (first published in Handb. N. Zeal. Fl. 1: 227 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly plantain, 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: Alice Shanks, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7b – 9b, 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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