Dusty Miller in Zone 3a & 3b

Senecio cineraria

When to plant dusty miller in zone 3b

Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Dusty Miller needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.

Start indoorsMar 28–Apr 4
Direct sow / transplant outsideJun 6–Jun 13
Estimated bloomSep 4–Sep 11 (~90 days after transplanting)

Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.

Dusty Miller
Photo: Denis Barthel (talk) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.

Dusty miller is grown for its silvery, felted foliage rather than for any flower, a classic bedding and container plant that also earns a spot as a fresh-cut filler that softens bolder bouquet colors.

How dusty miller fits zone 3's season

Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Dusty Miller needs about 90 days from transplant to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Dusty Miller.

Where to buy dusty miller seeds

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing dusty miller" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Dusty Miller in USDA zone 3b

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Growing Dusty Miller in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.

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