Helichrysum

( hel - ick - KRYE - sum )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus is commonly called Everlasting, Immortelle, or Strawflower, and includes species of flowering shrubs that perform best in full sun with moderate water. They are mainly grown for their wooly, handsome foliage and also produce small flowers. Use these shrubs in xeriscape landscapes as groundcover or bank covers, as accents of mint-green color in mixed planting beds, or in container plantings.

Helichrysum Species and Varietals

The genus Helichrysum includes around 600 species and is a member of the Sunflower family, Asteraceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek words for sun (helios) and gold (chrysos). Helichrysum growing zones vary by species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Helichrysum italicum (Helichrysum angustifolium) (Curry Plant, Imortelle, Everlasting, Italian Strawflower, Italian Everlasting)
This perennial grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 13-24 and is native to southern Europe. Individual plants reach to 2 feet tall and wide, and form a woody base. Leaves are narrow and almost white. Leaves emit a curry-like fragrance when bruised or touched. These leaves can add a pleasant aroma to dishes. Yellow flowers bloom in clusters in midsummer to fall.

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant, Silver-Bush Everlasting Flower, Trailing Dusty Miller, Imphepho, Kooigoed)
This species forms a shrub, doing well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 16, 17, and 22-24. It is commonly grown as an annual outside of its preferred climate range. The species hails from South Africa, and reaches to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide at maturity. Leaves are white and wooly and the plant has insignificant flowers. In hot weather or when leaves are dry, the plant will emit a licorice scent. All varieties of this species are useful for their trailing branches, and are ideal for hanging baskets or mixed beds and borders. Shear off blooms when they begin to fade and do not allow to self-sow, as these plants can spread. They are considered invasive in California along the central to northern coasts. Commonly grown varieties are listed below:

'Limelight'
Chartreuse leaves.

'Licorice Splash'
Variegated leaves with yellow and green.

'Variegatum'
Leaves with white markings.

Caring for Helichrysum

Plant these shrubs in late springtime or early summer in a space that is protected from wet and windy conditions. Helichrysum, or Everlasting, should be grown in a space in the garden that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and growth rate. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 6.4 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flowers to discourage re-seeding. Each year in springtime, prune back to about three inches from the ground. These shrubs can survive for between 3 and 10 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced. They will freely re-seed in the garden, providing volunteer plants that can be dug up and replanted elsewhere.

Harvesting Helichrysum
The leaves and young shoots of Helichrysum shrubs can be used in salads and to season meats, and are frequently used for this purpose in Mediterranean dishes. To harvest, simply pick them off of the plant; these are considered cut-and-come-again plants. Young leaves should be used over mature ones; they are less bitter. The flowers can also be used to make tea.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Helichrysum can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Helichrysum by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 2-inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring or summertime, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Helichrysum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in fall, after flowers have faded and seed pods are dried and have started to open up.
In February or March, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-3 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed) or summertime, when you can transplant it to its new home.

After flowers have faded, they will turn into fluffy, seed-filled heads.

Helichrysum seeds with their fuzzy attachments removed.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Helichrysum shrubs can suffer from the following issues in the garden: