How to Grow and Care for Strawflowers

About Growing Strawflower Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Are you growing Annual Strawflower plants as a flower or an herb? You make the call. But, for the record, let’s make sure you know that Strawflowers are classified as an herb. And, best of all, they are easy to grow. And with about 600 species, they are in a big family!

Natives of Australia, Strawflowers grow up to three feet tall. These “Aussies” have big blooms that come in yellow, orange, red, rose, white, and pink. They look good in the flower bed, in vases, corsages, bouquets, and more. Once they begin to bloom in mid-summer, they will reward you with bursts of color right up to frost. With a little luck, they may survive the first light frost.

The flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Plant them around fruit trees and other crops to increase pollination rates. Strawflowers, or Helichrysum, are “everlasting” flowers, as they can be dried and will last a long time. They make excellent winter bouquets and are popular with crafters.

Strawflowers are a symbol of immortality. The long-lasting flowers are a symbol of everlasting beauty. It is a sign of And, it also represents everlasting love and affection.

Strawflower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Strawflowers bloom in a wide variety of colors and shades.

Flowers Bloom: Summer

Plant height: two to three feet tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9

Light Needs: Bright, full sunlight.

Toxic Plant?: No.

Deer Resistant? Yes. Deer do not like the strong scent and bitter taste of this plant. So, the plants are not on the menu of deer, rabbits, and other foraging animals.

Number of Species: 600 species.

Plant Type: Annual.

Native To: Australia.

Botanical Name: Helichrysum Bracteatum

Other Names: Cornflowers, Everlasting Flower, Golden Everlasting.

Are Strawflower Plants Edible?

Not Usually!!

The petals are edible. But they are not often consumed. They are added to desserts or salads. And, you can use the flower as a garnish.

Medicinal Uses for Strawflower Plants

Strawflowers have a variety of medicinal applications. Here are some of them:

The pleasant scent of the flowers is used in aromatherapy.
The plant’s oil is used to fight dandruff. And, it is also used to treat hair loss.
The leaves and flowers are used to treat skin irritations and insect bites.
Use it to soothe the pain of burns.

Light Requirements

Strawflowers grow best in full, direct sunlight. Select a planting location where they will receive several hours of bright sunlight.

The plants tolerate a light partial light. However, with too little sunlight the stems grow lanky and fewer flower buds appear. The brilliant colors can also be a little duller.

Annual Strawflower Plant Propagation

Strawflowers are grown from seed. Strawflower seeds can be directly seeded into your flower garden or started indoors for transplanting later. If planting outdoors, sow them just a few days before the last frost date for your area.

Sow Strawflower seeds, covering them lightly with soil. Keep the soil moist, but not wet during the germination period. The plants look their best in groups, And, they tolerate a little crowding.

Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart.

Days to Germination: Seeds sprout in 7 – 10 days.

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Strawflower Plants

Annual Strawflower plants are easy to grow. As a matter of fact, these plants are often grown as wildflowers and do just fine unattended.

Planting and soil needs:

The plants grow best in full sun. But, they tolerate a light, partial shade.

The plants do well in poor to average soils and tolerate heat and drought conditions. Mix in a healthy amount of compost at the planting site. After planting them, apply a light dose of general-purpose fertilizer. The compost and fertilizer help to maximize the early growth of the plant. Water the area lightly after planting. Keep the soil moist but not wet during the seed germination period.

Fertilizer needs:

The plants are not heavy feeders. In average to rich soil, they thrive without additional fertilizer. In poor soil, add a general-purpose fertilizer once or twice a season for maximum plant growth, and to promote big blooms.

Water Needs:

Strawflowers are drought-tolerant plants. Water them during extended dry periods, once or twice per week.

Other:

Keep the planting site well-weeded while the plants are young.

Apply a two to three-inch layer of mulch to help keep the weeds down and create an attractive appearance. It also helps to retain soil moisture.

Once your Strawflower plants are established, they will grow well. They will bloom from mid-summer right up to frost. They may survive light frosts.

How to Grow Strawflowers in Containers and Flowerpots

The height of these plants translates into a less than popular choice for flowerpots and containers. However, plenty of home gardeners grow them on their balcony or deck. You just need a big flowerpot to accommodate them. Why!? Simply because they brighten up any area where they grow.

In addition to normal plant care (above), here’s how to grow Strawflowers in containers:

Select a sunny location on your balcony or deck.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants regularly, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil slightly dry. They prefer dry soil. So, allow the top of the soil to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks.

How to Prune Annual Strawflower Plants

Strawflower plants require little, if any, pruning. Simply plant these long-lasting flowers and watch them grow!

First, watch for dead, dying, or diseased leaves and stems. There should be very few.

When the plants are several inches tall, pinch back the growing tips. The plants will develop even more branches. And, that means more flowers!

Deadheading may (or may not) result in additional blooms. However, it helps to retain plant health and an attractive plant appearance.

Insects and Plant Disease

Annual Strawflower plants are fairly resistant to insects and diseases. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicides.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures, too.