Nuttall's Pussytoes
Antennaria parvifolia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Antennaria parvifolia is a low-growing forb that forms silvery mat-like rosettes and blooms from May through July. It thrives in full sun with low water, making it a good fit for dry, open sites at moderate to high elevations.
Toxicity unknown
Nuttall's Pussytoes (Antennaria parvifolia) 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.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
2"–10" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CO, IA, ID and 13 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.
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Nuttall's pussytoes is a low-growing native groundcover with soft, silvery-gray foliage that stays attractive year-round. It produces small clusters of white, fuzzy flowers from May through July that resemble tiny cat paws. This drought-tolerant plant spreads slowly to form neat mats, making it excellent for rock gardens and dry slopes.
Growing Nuttall's Pussytoes
Grow Nuttall's Pussytoes in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 2 to 10 inches tall and spread 4 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Nuttall's Pussytoes is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and beetles during the summer blooming period. The evergreen foliage provides year-round habitat for small insects and ground-dwelling creatures.
Common questions
- When does Antennaria parvifolia bloom?
- Antennaria parvifolia typically flowers from May through July, producing small clustered heads on short stems above its gray-green rosettes.
- What pollinators visit Antennaria parvifolia?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to Antennaria parvifolia flowers, drawn to the small clustered blooms during the summer months.
- How much water does Antennaria parvifolia need?
- Antennaria parvifolia is adapted to low water conditions and does best in soil that drains well and dries out between rainfalls.
- What kind of light does Antennaria parvifolia prefer?
- This plant grows best in full sun, where its low mats of gray-green leaves can spread and flower reliably.
- What growth habit does Antennaria parvifolia have?
- Antennaria parvifolia is a mat-forming forb with evergreen, felted rosettes that stay low to the ground and spread by short rhizomes or stolons.
- Is Nuttall's Pussytoes HOA-friendly?
- Nuttall's Pussytoes is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Nuttall's Pussytoes? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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