A soft grey-felted wildflower bearing daisy-like cream flowers with green-tipped petals that feel like flannel. A treasured short-lived perennial for sandy coastal gardens and cut flowers.
At a glance
- Plant type: Perennial
- Mature size: 60 cm H × 50 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: tender
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Flannel Flower
Actinotus helianthi is a perennial in the Apiaceae family, native to New South Wales and Queensland. It reaches around 60 cm tall and 50 cm wide at maturity, with silver-grey foliage. White and cream green flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Flannel Flower
Flannel Flower suits warm-temperate and subtropical climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost tender, so protect it from hard frosts or grow it in a sheltered spot or pot. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice, tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is a sought-after collector's plant.
Soil & planting
Flannel Flower does best in sandy, free-draining and poor soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Flannel Flower is happy on low water, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Flannel Flower after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Flannel Flower in the garden
Flannel Flower earns its place for cut flowers for the vase, pots and courtyard containers and a feature or specimen planting. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Flannel Flower with other plants that enjoy the same happy on low water and warm-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Flannel Flower
Plant Sale lists Flannel Flower as tube stock, potted plants, advanced specimens and seed. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment it lands.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Flannel Flower seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.