Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Sand Sagebrush

Artemisia filifolia

Other common name(s):

Silver Sagebrush, Silvery Wormwood, Sand Sage

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts, High Plains, Southwestern Tablelands
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
6
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow, Brown

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Prefers sandy soil. Shearing ruins the delicacy of the foliage. Too much water induces rank growth. Good for erosion control or as accent shrub. May self-sow in preferred conditions. Prune if lower height is preferred. A hayfever plant. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms August-November. A compact, semi-evergreen shrub with feathery, segmented, silver-blue foliage that is sweetly pungent. The inflorescence is a panicle of hanging flower heads. Flowers and seeds are inconspicuous. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Oligosporus filifolius

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Seeds should be sown in well-draining soil in the spring. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 2 weeks in a warm greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/artemisia%20filifolia?srsltid=AfmBOorzEv0xt9dPHmMROAXieRDRjuV8BVnnsBFuAwFrWo8OH4Sx1GSY 2) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Artemisia+filifolia
Stem Cutting While not essential, dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can encourage faster and more successful root development. Insert the cutting about 2 inches deep into the planting medium and water thoroughly. Maintain consistent moisture and provide indirect sunlight. Root in a sandy soil mix. Cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer. Look for healthy, non-flowering stems that are around 4-6 inches long. Make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Preparation: Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving 2-3 pairs at the top. 1) https://earthone.io/plant/artemisia%20filifolia?srsltid=AfmBOorzEv0xt9dPHmMROAXieRDRjuV8BVnnsBFuAwFrWo8OH4Sx1GSY 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-artemisia-filifolia/?print=print
Seed Stratification Timing is Key: Sow seeds in late fall or early spring directly into well-drained soil outdoors or in seed trays. Cold Stratification: Sand sagebrush seeds benefit from cold stratification, mimicking natural winter conditions. If starting indoors, mix seeds with damp sand and store them in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before sowing. Light Requirements: Lightly press seeds into the soil surface, as they need light for germination. Patience is a Virtue: Germination can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Maintain consistent moisture and a cool temperature during this period. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-artemisia-filifolia/?print=print
Clump Division Using a sharp, clean tool, divide the root ball into sections, ensuring each section has a healthy portion of roots and shoots. Replanting: Replant the divisions immediately in well-drained soil, spacing them adequately to allow for growth. Spring is the best time for dividing Artemisia filifolia. Carefully dig around the plant, ensuring you lift a good portion of the root system. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-artemisia-filifolia/?print=print

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason