Pot pussytoes in a shallow trough with a gritty mix that drains. A groundcover panel belongs in the ground.
A shallow trough, and a gritty mix that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Pot | A shallow alpine trough or stone pan with open holes | A deep houseplant tub or a saucer that stays full |
| Mix | Gritty alpine or cactus mix; extra sand or perlite | Garden clay or a peat-heavy indoor mix |
| Form | Small-leaf or mountain everlasting as a specimen mat | A prairie panel expected to fill a patio tub forever |
| Light | Full sun outdoors | A dim indoor windowsill as the forever home |
Paving cracks and stone walls are the in-ground analog — a trough is that job in a pot. [1] The mix has to stay lean and gritty, the same brief as a rock garden. [2]
Can I grow pussytoes in a pot?
Yes — a small mat in a shallow drained trough with a grit mix. A groundcover panel goes in the ground.
How to pot pussytoes
Drainage holes are the pot job. The roots are shallow and rot if the mix stays wet. [3]
- Choose a compact plant. A. parvifolia is the tight trough form; A. dioica is the low mountain mat.
- Use a shallow trough or pan with open drainage holes. Skip a deep 8 to 12 inch houseplant pot.
- Set the crown at the same level it sat in the nursery plug. Backfill with a gritty mix, not garden soil.
- Water until it runs out the holes. Empty the saucer. Top with a thin grit mulch off the crown. Do not fertilize. [4]
Water, winter, and when to plant out
Water when the surface of the mix is dry, then drain. In a hard winter, move the trough against a wall or into an unheated garage — pot roots freeze sooner than roots in the ground. If you wanted a silver panel on a slope, that year in a trough is holding time. Plant out in spring or fall on Planting Pussytoes.
If the trough stays wet after rain, drill more holes or add grit — do not move it to a dim room.
FAQ
Can I keep a groundcover panel in a pot forever?
No. A trough holds a small specimen mat. Field and plantain-leaf panels belong in the ground so stolons can run.
What mix do I use?
A gritty alpine or cactus mix with extra sand or perlite, in a pot with open holes. Garden clay holds water against the crown.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/antennaria-dioica/ - [2] Missouri Botanical Garden -
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=291415 - [3] Native Plant Trust -
https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Antennaria-plantaginifolia - [4] PlantNative -
https://plantnative.org/native-plants/pussys-toes-antennaria-plantaginifolia.htm
This note is part of Antennaria Guides.
More container notes by plant live in Container Growing Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors