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Lavender companion · grow guide
Snow-in-Summer · Cerastium tomentosum
Snow-in-summer needs full sun and sharply drained, lean soil. It spreads into a silver mat; in poor drainage or humid heat it rots out.
Check my zone & planting dates
Full sunLight
Low waterFast drainage
pH 6.0–8.0Soil
Zones 3a–7bHardiness
6″ tall32″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits resistant
Not known toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Cloud Cover will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 3a–7b
Spring or early fall.
Your year with Cloud Cover
When it arrives
Plugs are small and dry out fast. Water on arrival, keep in bright light, and harden off a week before planting. Plant 72-cell plugs straight into gritty soil once rooted. Don't overwater new plugs; let the surface dry between waterings.
Spring or early fall.
Crown at soil level; never bury the stems. A thin gravel mulch keeps the mat dry.
12-18 in apart; it fills in quickly.
Sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil · pH 6.0–8.0
Fix-it tip: Mix grit or coarse sand into clay, or plant on slopes, walls, and raised beds. Skip compost and fertilizer.
Full sun (tolerates very light shade).
In shade it thins out and flowers poorly.
Don’t give up on it
Evergreen to semi-evergreen. The silver mat may look flat or patchy in early spring; fresh growth fills in by mid spring and white flowers follow in late spring.
Trim winter damage; enjoy late-spring bloom.
Shear after flowering.
Pull runners where they're not wanted.
No care; keep drainage clear.
First season: Water when the top inch is dry for the first few weeks.
After that: Drought tolerant; rarely needs water.
None needed. Fertile soil makes it sprawl and rot.
Shear the whole mat back by about half after flowering to keep it dense and limit reseeding.
Every few years if the center dies; lift rooted pieces from the edge in spring and replant.
Very cold hardy (zones 3-7). Poor drainage in winter is the main risk.
Can melt out in high heat and humidity, especially in the South.
Dead brown patches in the matLikely cause: Wet soil or humid heat
What to do: Cut out dead parts, improve drainage, and add a gravel mulch.
Spreading into other plantsLikely cause: Underground runners and seed
What to do: Shear after bloom and pull runners at the edges.
Leggy and openLikely cause: Too much shade or rich soil
What to do: Shear hard after bloom; move to sun if needed.
Mushy, brown patches in the mat mean too wet. Gray, shriveled leaves mean long drought.
Not listed by ASPCA; no known toxicity reported. Discourage pets from chewing any garden plant.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Good in pots · 1 gallon+
Nice spilling over wall pots or troughs. Use gritty mix.
Outdoor plant
Needs full sun and winter cold.
Best after a cold winter
Blooms in late spring; a normal outdoor winter supports a full bloom. No special treatment needed.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 1 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Plant it right alongside lavender
Same sun and fast drainage. Use it as a silver groundcover at the front of the lavender bed, but keep it trimmed so it doesn't creep over young lavender crowns.
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