How big does Mountain everlasting grow?

About 20 cm × 45 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 8–25 cm × 20–45 cm.

What soil does Mountain everlasting grow in?

It tolerates these soils: sandy, acidic.

Is Mountain everlasting hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Mountain everlasting flower?

Flowering: May–June, white, pink.

How much water does Mountain everlasting need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Mountain everlasting

Antennaria dioica

Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica) is a ground cover plant that reaches 20 cm × 45 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €4.70.

Illustration of Mountain everlasting — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

It weaves a ground-hugging mat of silver-grey, woolly leaf rosettes, topped in late spring by small white and pink flower heads that look like a cat's paw. It suits sunny, poor, dry, sandy or stony soil that is acidic to neutral, in a rock garden, between stepping stones or in a trough. It soon dies out in rich, wet or heavy ground, so do not feed it and do not water it regularly.

Watch out for

It is native to Central Europe but has become very rare and is declining, vanishing from sites that grow richer in nutrients and close over with taller grass. Never dig up or collect wild plants: plant only nursery-propagated stock. In the garden, standing water and heavy soil cause root rot, neighbours smother it in rich ground, it dislikes hot, humid summers, and slugs may chew it.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 20 cm × 45 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, white, pink

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	20 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	8–25 cm × 20–45 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	May–June, white, pink
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	25 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €4.70

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €4.70

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants for containers Rock garden plants

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