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.

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.

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.

Flowers Bloom: Summer

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

Plant height: 2 to 3 feet tall.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9

Annual, Helichrysum Bracteatum

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. They prefer full sun to partial shade.

The plants do well in poor to average soils and tolerate heat and drought conditions. Water them during extended dry periods, once or twice per week.

Add a general-purpose fertilizer once or twice a season for maximum plant growth, and to promote big blooms.

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

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5.

Insects and Plant Disease

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

Also, see:

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