There are various species of plants all around the world.
The differences in each plant are displayed in the shape, size, and general outlook. Some plants have hairy leaves. When you touch their leaves it feels hairy or fuzzy.
Well, just like every other thing in nature, there is a reason those plants have hairy leaves. Trichomes are the correct name for plant hair.
Trichomes can act as an insulator by keeping cold away from the leaf cells.
Trichomes also defend plants from herbivorous insects. Some trichomes are also unpleasant enough to keep larger herbivores away from a plant.
Let us explore some plants which have hairy leaves in today’s post.
1. African Violets
African violets are beautiful tropical plants that are one of the more fashionable houseplants.
Their bright flowers, which are poised just above a compact cluster of deep green fuzzy leaves, are truly stunning.
African Violet (Genus Saintpaulia) refers to any of the six blooming plants of the genus Saintpaulia.
They are found in higher elevations of tropical eastern Africa. The African violet is a popular horticultural plant.
Saintpaulia species are small perennial herbs with dense, hairy, ovate leaves.
These dark green leaves have long petioles (leaf stalks) and are grouped in a basal cluster at the base of the plant.
The violet-like blooms are symmetrical with five petals and can be pink, white, or violet color.
African violets are low-growing perennials that bloom numerous times per year.
2. Angels’ Hair Artemisia
Angel’s Hair Artemisia (Artemisia schmidtiana) has beautiful silver-gray foliage which just begs to be touched.
The plant has palmately lobed leaves and tall panicles of white flowers that bloom in the summer.
It’s a fantastic choice for hotter regions and attracts bees, birds, and butterflies. Angel hair does not grow extremely tall, reaching a maximum height of 6-12 inches.
It does not thrive in rainy climates and requires direct sunlight. It also does not require much watering.
Though it is not particularly huge, it can be intrusive in optimal settings. When it starts to separate, trim it back.
Every winter, the plant fades to the ground. It is an excellent addition to your garden and may be used as a rock garden or border plant.
Here is an article I wrote on plants with needle like leaves
3. Chenille Plant
The chenille plant (Acalypha hispida, A. pendula) stands out among houseplants. Its common name comes from its silky tassels, which resemble furry red caterpillars.
Put them in a place where they can hang down, such as a hanging basket or over the side of a ledge.
True chenille plants (Acalypha hispida) can grow up to 10 feet tall and have tassels that are 112 feet long in tropical gardens.
The Chenille plant is ideal for growing as a houseplant. It thrives in part shade and indirect light; keep it away from direct sunshine.
Watering should be done on a regular basis to maintain the soil moist, as the plant prefers damp conditions.
4. Lamb’s Ears
This low-maintenance perennial has velvety soft, woolly evergreen leaves that range in color from silver to gray-green.
The foliage also resembles the shape of a real lamb’s ears, hence the name.
Their thick, densely packed gray or green leaves spread readily, and this plant can withstand dry circumstances, yet too much rain will destroy the leaves.
If permitted to blossom in the summer, lamb’s ear will also produce plumes of pink to purple blooms.
In addition to its lovely, hairy foliage, the leaves can be used as a bandage for treating wounds and soothing unpleasant bee stings.
Some cultivars produce spikes of delicate purple blooms.
5. Dusty Millers
Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) is a gray-leaved shrublike perennial with fuzzy light gray leaves and yellow foliage.
If you reside in a warm winter climate, you can have blossoms all year. Dusty millers grow and thrive in all climates.
The leaves of this beautiful plant stand out. They are almost silver in color, making them a beautiful contrast to other plants and particularly show in the moonlight.
It requires full sunlight, so they perform better when left outside, and they look their best in the summer.
Dusty millers don’t need a lot of water, and they usually only need a little to moderate amount.
Plant your dusty miller in a well-drained area and clip it back on a regular basis to keep it from becoming rangy. Dusty miller is tolerant of heat and drought.
Also check out this article I wrote on plants with hard stems
6. Jerusalem Sage
Jerusalem sage, despite the title, is not part of the sage family. It has the appearance of many true sages, with woolly leaves and almost equally fuzzy blooms.
This flower native to the Mediterranean is popular in warmer climes where it is cultivated as an evergreen perennial In colder regions, it tends to die in winter.
You can put it in the shade since, while it prefers full sunlight, it can tolerate some shade.
It can also survive on little to moderate water.
Jerusalem sage can tolerate drought conditions in cool-weather places, but it needs more water in hotter climates.
It is often a great addition to flower arrangements especially when it’s fresh.
7. Mexican Bush Sage
Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha) is a real salvia family member.
It’s also quickly becoming a standard in fashionable gardens, so you might wish to include it in yours.
It is low-maintenance and has a long bloom season that can continue through a mild winter.
The velvety, almost hairy component of this plant is its blossoms.
They can endure some contact unlike some other hairy plants and that’s why they are also called velvet sage.
This plant also needs full sun and light to moderate watering. It spreads fast, so prune it just after bloom or in early spring to keep it in check.
To encourage recurring blooming, cut the flower spikes as they fade.
8. Licorice Plant
Licorice has fuzzy leaves and foliage that range in color from gray-green to chartreuse to variegated cream and green.
The name is derived from the subtle licorice aroma, which is especially noticeable in the heat of July.
It works best in a pot arrangement as a spiller plant. It gets its pale coloring from the many thick hairs that cover the entire plant.
These white hairs give the plant a smooth texture that is ideal for touching.
The licorice plant grows quickly and prefers as much sunlight as possible. Plants in partial shade might get lanky and require extra pruning to avoid looking unkempt.
Shade-grown plants will not appear as silvery since the hairs are not as robust while grown in the shade.
9. Mulleins
Mulleins (Verbascum spp) have hairy stems and leaves. Mullein plants are enormous, towering plants with massive, hairy leaves and tall stalks of yellow flower rosettes.
Historically, the biennial plant was used as a herbal remedy for coughs, congestion, chest colds, bronchitis, and inflammation.
These low leaves serve as a foundation for towering flower stems in gardens.
The Verbascum genus has a variety of plant species.
V. thapsus, for example, is a prolific self-seeding plant that grows along roadsides.
However, if not allowed to take over, it can be a majestic addition to a diverse border.
It grows on poor soil and with minimal water. This species is thought to have therapeutic properties.
10. Fountain Grass
Fountain grasses’ (Pennisetum spp) fluffy flower plumes are a lovely addition to the yard.
These grasses come in a variety of heights, hues, and cold-weather tolerance. You can definitely find something for your garden.
This warm-season grass is endemic to Eastern Asia Australia, where it grows in meadows and open forests alongside streams.
Depending on the variety, the deep green foliage makes a dense but beautiful clump 12-48′′ tall.
At first, the growth is upright, but as the plant matures, the leaves arch, imitating a fountain.
The length and width of the cultivars’ long, tapering, faintly serrated blades vary widely. Fountain grass is known to be invasive, so keep it pruned on a regular basis.
Conclusion
There you have it!!!!. Ten beautiful plants with hairy foliage and leaves.
As you can see, these plants are all beautiful additions to your garden and require easy care.
The hairy and fuzzy foliage invites you to touch them, though they are better left alone.
There are many favorites on this list including the Mexican bush safe, Jerusalem sage and Chennille plant.
Do well to add one or two of these plants to your gardens and watch your landscape light up. Have fun while doing it!!!!
