Pewter Plant

Pewter Plant (Strobilanthes gossypinus) is a mounded, herbaceous shrub about 1m high and 1.5m wide, with silver-bronze-green new leaves that are lighter than the mature foliage and covered in fine hairs. The soft, downy covering gives young growth a cotton-wool feel before the leaves mature to deep green. It is a foliage plant for feature planting, contrast and containers in frost free gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Soft silver-bronze new growth. New leaves come through in lighter silver and bronze tones, which gives the plant a changing, layered look.
• Leaves like cotton wool. The botanical name refers to cotton. A coat of fine hairs makes the new leaves soft to touch and acts as a sunscreen for the plant.
• A contrast foliage plant. Its pewter tones set off green, red and purple neighbours and calm bright flowers.
• Sun brightens it. Full sun gives the best leaf colour, so it earns its place in a bright, open spot.
• Mounded and tidy. The natural dome shape stays neat with light pruning.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Give each plant about 1.2m to spread, in a bed where its pewter tones can be seen against darker foliage.

Contrast planting. Use it beside purple foliage such as goldfussia or green tropical leaves to lighten a bed and give it depth.

Containers. A big pot on a sunny patio shows off the soft leaves up close, and a pot can be moved under cover when the weather turns cold.

Growing Pewter Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Plant it in a frost free location in full sun for the best leaf colour. It suits tropical and subtropical gardens, and in cooler regions it is best in a pot that can be sheltered.

Soil. Plant in free-draining soil rich in organic matter that is not over wet. Mixing in compost or humus at planting time helps it settle in.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well, particularly through dry spells. Fertilise in spring to promote healthy growth.

Pruning. Prune in spring to promote healthy growth. Lightly prune all over if needed to shape the plant, and keep it as a neat mound.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pewter Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and as single 300mm pots. Tubes suit a larger planting, and the 300mm pot gives a bigger plant that makes a feature of the soft leaves straight away. Plant it into a warm, sheltered spot and water it in well.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on the page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our tropical plants
• Plants for pots and containers
• More shrubs for Australian gardens
• Designing a lush tropical garden

Common questions

Does it need full sun?

Full sun gives the best leaf colour, and the new growth is brighter in a sunny location. It will cope with less light, but the pewter tones are strongest in sun.

Why are the new leaves hairy?

The fine hairs that cover young leaves are a natural feature of the plant. They give the leaves a soft, cotton-wool feel and act as a sunscreen.

Will it survive frost?

No. It needs a frost free location. In cooler climates grow it in a pot and bring it under cover through winter.