With its feathery silver-gray leaves, dusty miller is a striking and unusual plant that will provide an accent for other plants in a container or along a border. Although the plant will sometimes develop tiny yellow blooms, they are extraneous and should be removed, because dusty miller is grown for its distinctive foliage. Dusty miller is an easy plant to grow, and requires only minimal care to look its best.
Plant dusty miller in a sunny spot and water the plants daily for two to three weeks. Once established, the dusty miller won't need much water and once a week will be sufficient, unless the weather is hot and dry.
Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as peat moss or dried grass, around the plants. Mulch will help control weeds, enrich the soil and preserve moisture in the soil.
Scatter a tablespoon of all-purpose granular fertilizer around each dusty miller when you plant it in the spring. This is all the fertilizer dusty miller will need, unless it's planted in containers. If so, feed it twice monthly.
Prune dusty miller back by 1/3 in August, to keep the plant compact and rounded. Pinch off any flowers that appear, so water and nutrients will be directed to the foliage.