Little cottonrose
Logfia minima · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant little cottonrose: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Logfia minima
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- Annual herbaceous plant
- Mature size
- 10-30 cm in height
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April-July)
- Hardiness
- Not very hardy, prefers temperate climates
- Foliage
- Deciduous, finely downy
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and Western Asia
Care
Light exposure
Place your small cottonweed in full sun for optimal growth and generous flowering. It also tolerates partial shade situations, but floral production will be less abundant. Avoid overly shaded areas that slow down development.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-drained, light soil that is not too rich. This plant adapts to poor, rocky or sandy soils typical of Mediterranean regions. Excessive organic matter encourages foliage at the expense of flowering.
Watering
Water moderately during growth, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. This annual herbaceous plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Reduce watering at the end of the season to avoid etiolation.
Fertilizing
Limited feeding is sufficient for this undemanding species. A diluted fertilizer, low in nitrogen and rich in potassium, applied once or twice during the season, supports flowering without excess. Avoid overfeeding, which causes unbalanced vegetative growth.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch young plants to encourage branching and a more compact shape. Faded flowers can be removed to extend the flowering period. At the end of the season, allow a few flowers to develop if you want self-seeding.
Pests and diseases
This plant is generally robust and rarely subject to disease. Powdery mildew may occasionally appear in warm, humid conditions: ensure good air circulation. Root rot results from excess moisture, which you can prevent with good drainage.
Did you know?
Small cottonweed is characterized by its flowers and bracts covered with fine white-grayish woolly hairs, hence its evocative name. This botanical adaptation, called lanugosity, protects the plant against evaporation in arid climates. In Mediterranean phytogeography, it is a marker of rocky habitats and steppes where it has evolved.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.