How big does Snow-in-summer grow?

About 20 cm × 45 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 15–30 cm × 25–45 cm.

What soil does Snow-in-summer grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Snow-in-summer hardy?

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How much water does Snow-in-summer need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Snow-in-summer

Cerastium tomentosum

Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) is a ground cover plant that reaches 20 cm × 45 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €3.90.

Illustration of Snow-in-summer — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

A low, mat-forming ground cover with silvery, woolly leaves that disappears under a sheet of white flowers in late spring and early summer. It suits sunny, dry, lean spots, rock gardens and wall tops, but in good soil it spreads hard by runners and seed, so keep it away from small, delicate neighbours. Shear it after flowering to keep the mat dense and cut down on self-seeding.

Watch out for

Short-lived: after a few years the mat goes bare in the middle and dies out in patches, so it needs renewing by division from time to time. The roots rot in heavy or waterlogged soil, and in the hot, humid spells of Central European summers the foliage declines and patches melt out. In good soil it overruns neighbouring plants.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 20 cm × 45 cm
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, white

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	20 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	15–30 cm × 25–45 cm
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	May–June, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	30 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €3.90

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. €3.90

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 Evergreen plants Plants for a Mediterranean garden Rock garden plants

Looks good next to it

Blue fescue

Festuca glauca

Sword-leaved inula

Inula ensifolia

Spring tamarisk

Tamarix tetrandra