When does winterfat bloom?

Krascheninnikovia lanata typically flowers from May through July, producing small, inconspicuous flowers followed by fuzzy, white-haired fruits.

How much water does winterfat need?

This shrub is adapted to low water conditions and does best in dry, well-drained soils typical of arid rangeland and shrub steppe habitats.

What kind of light does winterfat need?

Winterfat grows best in full sun and can also tolerate partial sun, making it well suited to open, exposed sites.

What pollinators visit winterfat flowers?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to winterfat's small flowers, which offer pollen rather than showy nectar displays.

What does winterfat look like through the seasons?

Its leaves stay grayish green through summer and retain a silvery, felted texture into winter, which is how the plant earned its common name.

Is Winterfat toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Winterfat as toxic to livestock.

Is Winterfat HOA-friendly?

Winterfat is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Winterfat

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Krascheninnikovia lanata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Krascheninnikovia lanata, commonly called winterfat, is a low-growing shrub with silvery, woolly foliage that blooms from May through July. It thrives in dry rangeland and shrub steppe with full sun and minimal water.

Toxicity unknown

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 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 Winterfat as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range

Winterfat is a compact native shrub with silvery-gray foliage that creates a soft, mounded appearance in the landscape. This drought-tolerant plant produces small flowers from May through July and naturally maintains a tidy rounded form. It's an excellent choice for water-wise gardens and adds year-round structure with its attractive gray-green leaves.

Growing Winterfat

Grow Winterfat in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Winterfat 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 summer blooms attract bees and beetles, providing nectar during the growing season. The dense branching structure also offers shelter for small wildlife.

Common questions

When does winterfat bloom?: Krascheninnikovia lanata typically flowers from May through July, producing small, inconspicuous flowers followed by fuzzy, white-haired fruits.
How much water does winterfat need?: This shrub is adapted to low water conditions and does best in dry, well-drained soils typical of arid rangeland and shrub steppe habitats.
What kind of light does winterfat need?: Winterfat grows best in full sun and can also tolerate partial sun, making it well suited to open, exposed sites.
What pollinators visit winterfat flowers?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to winterfat's small flowers, which offer pollen rather than showy nectar displays.
What does winterfat look like through the seasons?: Its leaves stay grayish green through summer and retain a silvery, felted texture into winter, which is how the plant earned its common name.
Is Winterfat toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Winterfat as toxic to livestock.
Is Winterfat HOA-friendly?: Winterfat 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.

See all plant problem guides

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