Woolly stemodia (Stemodia lanata) is native to the coastal regions of Southern Texas and Northern Mexico. Grown primarily for its lovely, semi-evergreen foliage, this tender perennial bears tiny, fragrant lavender or white flowers from late summer through fall. The plant’s signature velvety, silver-gray foliage—a cooling element in high-heat landscapes—resists deer and needs little care to stay green. In Zones 8 to 11 where it is hardy, woolly stemodia is grown as an easy-care, drought-tolerant groundcover. In cool zones, it is a valuable container plant that will readily tumble over the edge of a pot.
Woolly Stemodia Overview
Where to Plant Woolly Stemodia
A Texas native, woolly stemodia tolerates reflected heat and light from rock and asphalt. That makes it a good choice for garden spots where other plants can't take the heat. Place it along parking curbs and driveways or at the edge of hot, reflective patios.
Woolly stemodia is a true xeric plant, which means it has evolved to grow, flower, and thrive in hot, dry spots where little water is present. Plant it among other low-water plants for a color- and texture-rich year-round garden. You can also count on these easy-to-grow perennials to provide excellent erosion control on hills or coastal slopes with little to no foot traffic.
How and When to Plant Woolly Stemodia
Since most of woolly stemodia's growth occurs in spring, plant it in early spring to encourage quick establishment. You can plant woolly stemodia any time of year in zones 10 and 11.
Before you begin, dig into the soil just deep enough to accommodate the plant's root system. Remove your woolly stemodia from its container and use your fingers to gently loosen the roots from the soil. Place your plant in the hole and cover the roots with soil, leaving the crown of the roots exposed. Water gently to avoid displacing the soil. If you are planting more than one woolly stemodia, place them 24 to 36 inches apart.
You can also grow woolly stemodia in containers filled with well-drained potting soil. Pair woolly stemodia with plants that have similar water needs for a successful container combination. Or plant it alone to meet its minimal water needs with ease. Woolly stemodia grows fast in full sun and dry soil, so it can easily fill a container with color and texture on its own.
Woolly Stemodia Care Tips
Native to south Texas and northern Mexico, woolly stemodia thrives in heat and dry conditions. The flowering groundcover is evergreen in Zones 10 and 11. It is hardy, although deciduous, in Zones 8 and 9.
Light
Woolly stemodia grows best in full sun but can tolerate light afternoon shade—especially in extremely hot landscapes.
Soil and Water
Woolly stemodia prefers well-drained soil that is acidic to calcareous. The easy-to-grow groundcover can tolerate a variety of soils, but will begin to rot in soggy soil.
Water your woolly stemodia plants gently, but well after planting. Once established, only water during extreme drought or when the top two inches of soil are dry. Overwatering causes woolly stemodia to take on a leggy, thin appearance.
Temperature and Humidity
Woolly stemodia is extremely heat and drought-tolerant. It prefers arid to coastal climates with temperatures between 60˚ and 90˚ Fahrenheit. In prolonged heatwaves (with temperatures above 90˚ Fahrenheit), it may wilt during daylight hours. If it doesn't recover, consider supplemental watering or moving the plant to a protected area.
Wooly stemodia is hardy to zone 8 but may die back in cold winters.
Fertilizer
Woolly stemodia does not require fertilizer.
Pruning
Woolly stemodia does not require pruning, but you can trim away unwanted, untidy growth in spring and summer if your plant grows straggly.
In cooler climates, woolly stemodia may die back in the winter. If it does, prune the top growth in late winter.
Potting and Repotting
Woolly stemodia works beautifully in containers and hanging baskets. In sunny locations, the fast-growing plant easily fills a container and sends 2 to 3-foot silvery-green tendrils cascading over the side. To begin, choose a well-draining pot large enough for your plant to double in size. Before adding soil, add a layer of pebbles to the bottom of the pot. This will improve drainage, which is vital for the success of your plant. Fill your container with a fast-draining potting mix and plant your woolly stemodia in the center leaving the crown of the roots exposed. Water gently and place in a bright, sunny area.
Plan to repot your woolly stemodia annually or when it doubles in size.
Pests and Problems
When grown in full sun and well-drained soil, woolly stemodia has few issues with pests beyond the occasional visit from aphids and spider mites. It is, however, prone to fungal diseases when overwatered or grown in shady locations.
How to Propagate Woolly Stemodia
Woolly stemodia colonizes via stolons. That means it sends out stems with nodes that root where they touch the soil. So, the easiest way to propagate it is to snip off a rooted stem and transplant it. To begin, lift the edge of a healthy plant and look for a spot where young roots have anchored themselves in the soil. Dig up the new section and use sharp, sterile shears to cut the offshoot from the parent plant. Place the new plant in a separate location immediately. Water gently.
Woolly Stemodia Companion Plants
Blazing Star
Blazing stars make eye-catching additions to full-sun landscapes thanks to their tall spires of purplish-pink blooms. When not in bloom, the perennial offers delicate, grass-like foliage that blends beautifully into prairie gardens, wildflower beds, and cottage garden landscapes. Blazing star grows 1 to 3 feet tall in zones 3-9 and thrives in poor soil conditions. Like woolly stemodia, it suffers in soggy soil.
Feathery Cassia
Feathery cassia is an Australian native that adds flashes of yellow to desert landscapes. Like woolly stemodia, it thrives in full sun and needs little irrigation. The shrub grows 3 to 8 feet tall in zones 8-10 and bears hundreds of tiny, fragrant blossoms from late winter to early spring. Feathery cassia also makes an excellent foundation planting—just be wary of its thorny canes.
Gaura
Gaura is a tough, drought-tolerant native perennial that draws pollinators with its delicate pink or white blossoms. It is rugged enough to stand up to harsh summer conditions and grows best in full sun. The herbaceous, clump-forming plant has a long taproot that can’t tolerate soggy soil. Otherwise, it requires little maintenance beyond the occasional trim to keep it tidy.
Lamb's Ear
If you’re looking for a fuzzy companion for woolly stemodia, look no further than lamb’s ear (a.k.a. Stachys byzantina). Like woolly stemodia, the low-growing perennial features silvery-green foliage covered in a dense layer of tiny white hairs that feel silky to the touch. It grows 12 to 24 inches tall in zones 4-9 and often bears purple, white, red, or pink flowers from late spring to early summer. Lamb’s ear fares best in poor, well-drained soil and full sun.
Mexican Feather Grass
Graceful Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima) is native to North American drylands and thrives in quick-draining, lean soil. Like woolly stemodia, it is quite drought-tolerant and prefers full sun exposure. The delicate, fountain-like grass grows 1 to 3 feet tall in zones 6-10 and readily self-seeds. For this reason, it is emerging as invasive in some regions (like California). Check with your state extension service before planting.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Prickly pear cactus is an obvious choice for desert and dry, coastal landscapes. It makes an excellent choice for xeriscape gardens. What’s more, the flowering, evergreen cactus is salt-, heat-, and drought-tolerant and requires little care once established. Like woolly stemodia, prickly pear cactus prefers neutral to slightly acidic well-drained soil. But somewhat surprisingly, it’s hardy to zone 4. That means you can grow it almost anywhere that offers full sunlight and well-drained gravelly soil.
Texas Sage
DENNY SCHROCK
Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) is a resilient shrub that provides a welcome splash of color to harsh Southwestern landscapes. Though unrelated to the Salvia (sage) genus, the woody, evergreen shrub occasionally bears similarly vibrant purple flowers. The blooms—triggered by high humidity or low atmospheric pressure—are said to be a harbinger of rain. Texas sage grows 6 to 8 feet tall in zones 8-10 and prefers full sun and rocky, nutrient-poor soil. Like woolly stemodia, it struggles in wet, cooler weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does woolly stemodia work as a groundcover in high traffic areas?No. It stands up to heat and drought, but won't survive heavy foot traffic. For high-traffic areas consider something sturdier like creeping thyme, moss rose, or snow-in-summer.
No. It stands up to heat and drought, but won't survive heavy foot traffic. For high-traffic areas consider something sturdier like creeping thyme, moss rose, or snow-in-summer.
- Is woolly stemodia deer resistant?Yes! Deer tend to avoid woolly stemodia, so it's a great option for borders that protect tastier plants.
Yes! Deer tend to avoid woolly stemodia, so it's a great option for borders that protect tastier plants.
- Does woolly stemodia attract pollinators?Yes. Woolly stemodia is especially popular with bees and butterflies because it bears beautifully fragrant flowers from summer to fall.
Yes. Woolly stemodia is especially popular with bees and butterflies because it bears beautifully fragrant flowers from summer to fall.