Strawflower
Xerochrysum bracteatum
flowerStrawflower is an everlasting annual daisy whose stiff, papery bracts in jewel tones of gold, red, pink, and white feel like straw and hold their color superbly when dried. Bushy 2 to 3 foot plants bloom all summer in the heat and are a cutting-garden mainstay for fresh and dried arrangements.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Bloom
~85 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
9-12 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Surface-press seed (needs light)
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feed at planting
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Start seed indoors about six weeks before the last frost, pressing it on the surface since light aids germination, and transplant after frost into average, well-drained soil in full sun. Strawflowers are heat- and drought-tolerant and dislike rich, wet ground. Pinch young plants once to branch them, and deadhead or cut often to keep new blooms coming.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 22
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Projected first bloom
Jul 16
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Zinnia — A fellow heat-loving cut flower that draws butterflies and bees
- Cosmos — Shares lean soil and full sun while feeding pollinators
- Salvia — Adds nectar for bees and the same long, hot bloom season
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Hose off colonies on tender tips and encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Space for airflow, water at the base, and give it full sun
🌸 Blooms & cutting
For drying, cut stems when only two or three rows of bracts have opened and the center is still closed, since the flowers keep opening after cutting; hang them upside down in bunches in a dark, airy spot. For fresh use cut a little more open; vase life is up to ten days.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
The open daisy centers offer nectar and pollen to bees and butterflies, though strawflower is grown above all as a premier everlasting flower for dried bouquets.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.