Photo: Kajetan DzierżanowskiCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Annual Everlasting Plant Care
Xeranthemum annuum Scop.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its delicate, papery flower heads that retain their color long after blooming. Hailing from the Mediterranean region, Xeranthemum annuum is sought after by plant collectors for its drought tolerance and unique, everlasting blooms that add a touch of whimsy to any garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Annual Everlasting?
Water Annual Everlasting every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Annual Everlasting Native To?
What Is the Annual Everlasting?
Annual Everlasting (Xeranthemum annuum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Xeranthemum genus. Annual Everlasting is native to eastern Europe and western Asia. Annual Everlasting is also known as Immortelle, Everlasting Flower, Centaurea dubia.
Annual Everlasting displays a compact, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Annual Everlasting produces small, papery flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Annual Everlasting?
Xeranthemum annuum 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 Annual Everlasting Need?
Annual Everlasting thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Annual Everlasting Prefer?
Xeranthemum annuum grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Annual Everlasting prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Annual Everlasting?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Annual Everlasting to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Annual Everlasting?
Feed Annual Everlasting 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 Annual Everlasting?
Repot every 2-3 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 Annual Everlasting?
Annual Everlasting can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Annual Everlasting Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Annual Everlasting, 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 Annual Everlasting?
Annual 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Annual Everlasting Need?
Annual Everlasting grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Annual Everlasting is native to eastern Europe and western Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Annual Everlasting 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 Xeranthemum genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Xeranthemum species in the plant lookup.
Annual Everlasting 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: Xeranthemum annuum Scop., family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. Carniol. 2: 180 (1772)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Annual Everlasting, 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: Kajetan Dzierżanowski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 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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