I really enjoyed being introduced to Strawflowers by my sweetie last year. They are incredible - bursting throughout the garden.

The papery petals are crinkly and tough. It is fun to play with them just to experience the texture and sound as you run your fingers over the petals. For a flower that looks so delicate, they are actually quite tough - which is a quality that makes them great for dried floral arrangements!

As a perennial these strawflowers kept blooming right through our winter in the greenhouse in our zone 6b/7a climate. In the first year the stalk of a few of the plants are already nearly an inch thick. However, it is common to grow strawflowers as annuals and they are sure to volunteer in your garden if you let them go to seed. In the summer heat they do well too. They just keep blooming all season long!

Strawflowers – Xerochrysum bracteatum

Life cycle: Perennial / Ease of propagation: Easy / Hardiness zone: 8-11

One of our favorite flowers, strawflowers is a very productive, easy to grow, continuous bloomer. We dry the flowers for wreaths and they are perfect for this purpose as strawflowers retain their shape and color once dried. This mix offers a wide range of colors including white, bright pink, rose, peach, pale yellow, bright yellow, orange, copper, and deep red. Of course, they also make outstanding cut flowers and will outlast all other flowers in vase life.

Strawflowers are very low maintenance and loves heat and sun. They’re not picky about soil and do not require much fertilization.

Sowing Instructions

Direct sow after all danger of frost has passed or sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Do not cover seed as light is required for germination. Transplant to larger containers when the first true leaves appear. Harden off and transplant outside after the danger of frost has passed.