Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) Antennaria dioica
Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) (Antennaria dioica) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Asteraceae family, native to Heaths, dry grassland and mountains across Europe and northern Asia. It grows 5–20 cm (2–8 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 5–20 cm (2–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Heaths, dry grassland and mountains across Europe and northern Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mountain everlasting (pussytoes)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Mountain everlasting (pussytoes)
- How far apart should I plant Mountain everlasting (pussytoes)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mountain everlasting (pussytoes)?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) flower?
- From about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mountain everlasting (pussytoes) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Mountain everlasting (pussytoes)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mountain everlasting (pussytoes). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- A flat, creeping mat of small, woolly white leaves with clusters of fluffy pink or white flower heads like a cat’s paw in early summer; males and females are separate plants. Tough between paving stones.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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