Hoary Pincushion
Chaenactis douglasii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Hoary Pincushion (Chaenactis douglasii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Hoary Pincushion as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–24" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Hoary pincushion is a compact annual wildflower with fuzzy, silvery-green foliage and distinctive white to pale pink pincushion-shaped flower heads. It blooms from May through July and naturally reseeds in suitable conditions, creating naturalistic drifts in dry garden areas.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hoary Pincushion takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Annual lifecycle creates gaps and inconsistent appearance
- Can look weedy or unkempt to traditional landscaping standards
- Self-seeding habit may appear uncontrolled
Wildlife value
This native wildflower attracts bees and beetles during its spring and early summer bloom period. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for various pollinators in xeric garden settings.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hoary Pincushion need?
- Hoary Pincushion grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hoary Pincushion bloom?
- Hoary Pincushion blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Hoary Pincushion native?
- Hoary Pincushion (Chaenactis douglasii) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 9 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Hoary Pincushion toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Hoary Pincushion as toxic to livestock.
- What pollinators does Hoary Pincushion attract?
- Hoary Pincushion draws bees and beetles.
- Is Hoary Pincushion HOA-friendly?
- Hoary Pincushion takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Hoary Pincushion? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz