Satin Everlasting

Satin Everlasting (Helichrysum leucopsideum) is a small Australian native daisy with slender grey-green leaves and papery white flowers that glow gold at the centre. It grows 15cm to 50cm high and wide, depending on how much rain it gets, and flowers through spring and summer. It is a tough little plant for dry rockeries, pots and cottage borders in the southern half of the country.

Why you'll love it

• Papery white flowers with gold centres. The blooms open wide in spring and summer and keep the crisp, shiny look that gives everlastings their name.
• A true local. It grows wild across the southern states, so it fits a native or wildlife garden.
• Copes with cold and dry. It is frost tolerant, found in the ranges of Victoria and South Australia and down into Tasmania, and it usually survives a dry spell unwatered.
• Small and flexible. It stays compact enough for a rockery, a windowbox or a pot.
• Good for visiting wildlife. Open daisy flowers draw bees, butterflies and other insects, which suits a wildlife garden.

Where it works best

Rockeries. Gritty, free draining pockets between rocks copy the dry soils it grows in naturally. Plant 30cm apart so the grey foliage reads as a soft drift.

Pots and windowboxes. A sunny spot and a free draining mix keep it happy in a container. Keep the mix on the dry side rather than wet.

Cottage gardens and mixed borders. Its silvery foliage and white flowers soften stronger colours at the front of a bed.

Growing Satin Everlasting in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and a warm, dry climate suit it best. It dislikes excess humidity, so it is a better choice for the southern states and drier inland gardens than for the humid coast. Frost is no problem.

Soil. Poor, chalky or sandy soil is fine as long as it drains freely. On heavy clay, raise the bed or use a pot.

Water and feed. Water in extended dry spells and expect to do little more. Plants stay smaller in very dry regions and grow larger with some rain or irrigation. Skip the fertiliser.

Pruning. Deadhead old flowers to encourage more bloom, or leave a few to self-seed. If the plant dies back in a long dry spell, leave it alone: it may well shoot again when the rain returns.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Satin Everlasting as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube plant is small on arrival, but in a sunny, free draining spot it settles within a few weeks and starts to branch.

The tubes come from our grower, who does not always have stock. When none are on hand the tube shows as sold out here, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it returns.

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

• More Australian native plants
• Plants for rockeries
• Drought tolerant plants
• Designing a native garden for wildlife

Common questions

How big will Satin Everlasting get?

Anywhere from 15cm to 50cm high and wide. Plants stay small in very dry regions and grow larger where they get some rain or irrigation.

Will it survive without watering?

Usually, yes, once it is established. It may die back first and then shoot again when rain returns, so give it time before you decide it has gone.

Can I grow it in a humid climate?

It dislikes excess humidity and prefers warm, dry conditions. On the humid coast, use a pot, a sunny position and very free draining mix, and keep it on the dry side.