Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (Rabbit Tobacco)

A genuinely underused native annual, rabbit tobacco's persistent white bracts stay ornamental well past the point most flowers have faded, self-seeding readily in poor, sandy, disturbed soils where little else will establish - a low-cost, low-maintenance option for naturalizing difficult sites.

Species Overview

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, commonly called rabbit tobacco or sweet everlasting, is an erect annual or biennial native to the entire eastern seaboard west to Texas and Minnesota. It has silvery-green, woolly-hairy stems and leaves, with clusters of bright white bracts surrounding small yellow disk flowers that persist attractively into fall, releasing a sweet, maple-syrup-like scent when crushed.

Application

• Naturalized plantings on poor, sandy, or disturbed soils
• Old-field and roadside restoration
• Rock gardens - self-seeding annual with persistent, attractive bracts
• Fragrant plantings - sweet, maple-syrup scent when crushed

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Average to dry, well-drained soils; tolerates poor, infertile soils
• Plant Type: Forb (annual/biennial)
• Mature Height: 1-2 ft.
• Fall Color: Insignificant/None
• Bloom Color / Period: White; September-November
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list)
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees - small clustered flowers are visited by small bees and flies for nectar and pollen.
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Shallow (Under 12 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Growth Rate: Rapid
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Deer Resistance: Yes (Rarely Damaged)
• Flood Tolerance: Low - A dry, sandy-soil annual/biennial; not tolerant of standing water.
• Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
• Growth Habit: Upright

Planting Guidance

• An annual/biennial that overwinters as seed and self-seeds readily - leave some bare soil rather than mulching heavily to allow natural reseeding.