Plain-leaf Pussytoes
Antennaria parlinii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Antennaria parlinii is a low-growing forb with fuzzy basal leaves and white to pinkish flower heads in May and June. It thrives in dry, open sites with full sun and well-drained soil.
Toxicity unknown
Plain-leaf Pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii) 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
4"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 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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Plain-leaf pussytoes is a low-growing native groundcover with silvery-green foliage and small, fuzzy white flower clusters in late spring. This drought-tolerant perennial spreads slowly to form neat mats, making it useful for rock gardens or as a lawn alternative in sunny areas. The compact size and tidy growth habit work well in formal landscapes.
Growing Plain-leaf Pussytoes
Grow Plain-leaf Pussytoes in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Plain-leaf 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 small native bees and beetles during the May-June bloom period. As a native plant, it provides habitat for specialized insects that depend on regional flora.
Common questions
- When does Plain-leaf Pussytoes bloom?
- Antennaria parlinii typically flowers in May and June, producing small clustered heads on upright stems above a mat of basal leaves.
- What kind of light and soil does this plant need?
- It grows best in full sun to part shade on dry to medium, well-drained soils, often in open woodlands, meadows, and rocky or sandy clearings.
- What insects visit Plain-leaf Pussytoes flowers?
- Small bees and beetles are the most common visitors to the flower heads of Antennaria parlinii, drawn to the compact clusters during its spring bloom period.
- Is this a good low-maintenance groundcover?
- Yes. Its fuzzy, spreading foliage forms a dense low mat that holds up well in dry, sunny spots with minimal watering once established.
- Is Plain-leaf Pussytoes HOA-friendly?
- Plain-leaf 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 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 Plain-leaf Pussytoes? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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