Does it need a lot of water?

No, it prefers to dry out between waterings and dislikes soggy soil.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it thrives in containers as long as the drainage is excellent.

Plant guide

Woolly Stemodia.

Stemodia lanata

Pronounced steh-MOH-dee-uh lah-NAH-tuh

Also known as Woolly Stemodia, gray-woolly twintip

Woolly Stemodia — Photo by johnyochum (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming plant is known for its soft, fuzzy foliage that gives it a silvery appearance. It thrives in warm, sunny spots and adds a nice texture to any collection. You will love how its unique look stands out against greener plants.

Another photo of Woolly Stemodia — Photo by Rajan Rao (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial herb
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 12 inches tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to late summer

Care

Make sure to provide plenty of sun and well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is sitting in too much moisture. Keep the soil slightly on the drier side to prevent root issues.

Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems to encourage a bushier and more compact shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot only when the roots have filled the current container.
Soil: Sandy, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth despite proper light.

Safety

People: There is no significant evidence of toxicity, but it is not intended for human consumption.
Children: The plant is not toxic, but the small size and fuzzy texture might encourage children to pull at it, which could damage the plant.
Contact allergens: The fine, woolly hairs may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: No specific respiratory allergens are associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Soft, woolly silver foliage
Small, tubular purple flowers
Low growing, spreading habit
Opposite, serrated leaf arrangement

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: silver, grey, evergreen
Flowers: purple, blue, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, especially in humid conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a bright, frost free location and reduce watering significantly during the cooler months.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, provided you use a well draining cactus or succulent potting mix in a pot with drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

Take a 3 to 4 inch cutting from a healthy, non flowering stem.
Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top few.
Insert the cutting into a moist, sandy potting mix.
Place in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant species that do not require frequent irrigation to prevent root rot.

Grows well with

Lantana · They share similar requirements for high light and low water.
Blue Fescue · The blue foliage of the grass complements the silver leaves of the Stemodia.

Similar species

Woolly Thyme · Both plants feature fuzzy, low growing foliage and are used as groundcovers.

Science

Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Stemodia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Native to sandy soils of south Texas and northeastern Mexico.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as a species of conservation concern.

It survives in harsh, sandy, and high light environments by using its reflective hairs to reduce water loss.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: groundcover, rock garden plant, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it prefers to dry out between waterings and dislikes soggy soil.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it thrives in containers as long as the drainage is excellent.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Stemodia comes from the Greek words for stamen and double, referring to the appearance of the stamens, while the specific epithet lanata describes its woolly texture.

Good to know

The species name lanata means woolly, referring to the soft, silvery hairs covering the foliage.
It is a fantastic choice for xeriscaping due to its extreme drought tolerance.
The plant maintains its silvery appearance year round in frost free climates.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 25, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.