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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

Subshrub

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
6
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Dry, Sand

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Sand Dunes & Beaches

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Brown, Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Pollen, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Birds

Maintenance

Shearing ruins the delicacy of the foliage. Too much water induces leggy growth. Good for erosion control or as accent shrub. May self-sow in preferred conditions. Prune if lower height is preferred. A hayfever plant. Native habitat: open prairies, dunes.

Description

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

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason