It is a native of North Africa, Crete, and parts of Asia bordering on the Mediterranean.

The evergreen, downy, gray ash foliage becomes almost white in summer, making Helichrysum orientale an attractive plant for gardening.

[2] The chief supplies of Helichrysum orientale come from lower Provence, where it is cultivated in large quantities on the ground sloping to the Mediterranean, in positions well exposed to the sun, and usually in plots surrounded by dry stone walls.

Immortelle requires a light sandy or stony soil, and is very readily injured by rain or heavy dews.

The natural flowers are commonly used for garlands for the dead, or plants dyed black are mixed with the yellow ones.