Potentilla argentea aka Silver Cinquefoil

Taxonomy

Potentilla argentea, also known as hoary cinquefoil, silver cinquefoil, silvery cinquefoil, or silver-leaf cinquefoil, is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia Minor, and Siberia, but has been introduced to temperate areas in North America and New Zealand. This plant has fine, upright or sprawling, branched stems that can reach up to 30cm in height. The palmate leaves are composed of five narrow leaflets and have a white, felted underside. During late spring and summer, it produces open sprays of small, sulphur-yellow flowers with five petals. In addition, the Silver Cinquefoil is a rare houseplant that is relatively easy to grow. It requires regular watering to thrive and thrives best in long-lasting, direct light. Ideally, it should be placed within one foot of a window. Well-draining soil is preferred for this plant. If the Silver Cinquefoil is repotted each time it doubles in size, there should be no need for additional fertilizers. Belonging to the Potentilla genus, this plant shares its native range with Potentilla argentea, being native to Europe, Asia Minor, and Siberia.

Common names

Silver Cinquefoil, Hoary Cinquefoil, Silvery Cinquefoil, Silver Leaf Cinquefoil

How to care for Silver Cinquefoil

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Silver Cinquefoil due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Silver Cinquefoil should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Silver Cinquefoil loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Silver Cinquefoil thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Silvery Cinquefoil.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Silver Cinquefoil has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia