Coming in a wide variety of glistening colors, strawflower is known for its everlasting blossoms. In fact, strawflowers are just one of several types of plants known as “everlastings” due to their ability to retain their color and shape long after they are harvested and dried. These tough Australian plants are often grown as annuals, but in warmer areas, they can be grown as perennials.
While the common name of strawflower doesn't paint a pretty picture, you will understand the name once you feel the course, straw-like flowers. The colorful petals of this plant aren't even petals at all, but modified leaves called bracts. These bracts serve to protect the tender centers of the flowers until they are ready to open and be pollinated (hence their coarse texture and resilient nature). The showy blossoms can often be found in a variety of colors, most commonly warm tones of yellow, orange, and red and sometimes shimmering pink and white. The flowers stand above narrow, green leaves that are often covered in dense hairs. These hairs protect the plant from drying out, making strawflower a suitable plant for dry growing conditions
Strawflower Overview
Where to Plant Strawflower
Strawflowers are hardy in zones 8 through 11 and can return for a couple of years as perennials in temperate summer weather but are most often grown as annuals.
You can plant strawflowers among other garden perennials, in fall gardens, or even in containers for long-lasting color that requires little maintenance or care. Strawflowers also need little water, which makes them an excellent candidate for xeriscaping.
How and When to Plant Strawflower
Plant your strawflower starts in late spring and give them plenty of air circulation between plants (about 10 to 12 inches is fine) or they could develop mildew. Dig a hole that is approximately 10 to 12 inches deep and blend in about 2 to 3 inches of compost before placing your starts.
If you are planning on growing strawflower plants from seed, it is best to start 6 to 8 weeks before the estimated final frost date in your area. Once your seedlings begin to sprout, harden them off for about 10 to 14 days and then plant them in the ground when temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees both day and night.
Strawflower Care Tips
In the right conditions, strawflowers require very little care and tend to reward growers with non-stop blooms from summer until the first hard frost. After that, the flowers make great additions to dried floral arrangements, potpourri, and craft projects.
Light
For the best and brightest colors and the most floriferous display, be sure to plant in full sun. This will also help to prevent flopping and weak stems, which is important when growing cut flower varieties since these types can become quite large.
Soil and Water
Strawflowers grow well in just about any well-draining soil, but in overly fertile soil, they can become overly lush and floppy. Since they hail from tough areas in Australia, strawflowers can occasionally be found growing in very dry areas—sometimes even in pure sand. A sandy soil with a neutral pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal.
When it comes to watering, it is best to keep plants on the drier side as too much moisture will lead to rot. Only water your strawflowers when the soil feels dry.
Temperature and Humidity
Strawflowers are sun-loving plants that thrive in dry temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler weather and high humidity can lead to fungal infections.
Fertilizer
Strawflowers do not require fertilizer to grow but may benefit from a monthly application of general-purpose or flower fertilizer.
Container-grown strawflowers will appreciate even more frequent fertilization to help encourage continuous blooms.
Pruning
Because the blossoms on strawflowers often look good even when fading, deadheading is not necessary but can help encourage a fresh set of blooms. If left on the plant in warmer climates, the flowers will help reseed and encourage a new generation of plants. If you are planning on cutting strawflowers to dry and use in arrangements, simply cut stems and hang them upside down to air dry.
Potting and Repotting
Strawflowers can thrive in containers and make colorful additions to porches, decks, and balconies. They are also great filler plants for mixed containers as long as they are grouped with other plants that prefer well-draining soil and full sun. Make sure to place them in a spot that allows 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day with air circulation around the base of the plant.
Dwarf varieties—like the Cottage pink, white, or orange strawflowers—work best for containers. Avoid planting tall varieties (like ‘Swiss giant’ strawflowers), which can stretch to heights of up to 3 or 4 feet tall.
If you need to transplant your strawflower plant for any reason, only dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and plant it at the same depth as its previous potting to avoid traumatizing the plant.
Pests and Problems
While strawflowers are not often plagued with pests and diseases, they can have issues with aster yellows virus, which will cause the plants to look stunted and yellow. This is typically transferred to the plant from nearby diseased plants, so be sure to remove any plants that show signs of disease as soon as possible to prevent spreading.
Strawflowers are also susceptible to downy mildew if not planted with adequate air circulation. Give your plants plenty of space from their neighboring plants and use well-draining soil to prevent issues with gray mold and rot—both of which favor cool, wet conditions.
How to Propagate Strawflowers
You can save strawflower seeds—which resemble parachute-like dandelion seeds—by collecting them from the seed heads before they blow away. To prevent the seeds from launching, cover the spent blooms with a fine-mesh bag and secure it gently with a twist tie or rubber band. Once the seed heads are dry, clip them from their stems and drop them in a paper sack, shaking the bag toseparate the seeds.
Start the seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. Press them gently into moist soil, but do not cover them. They will need light and soil temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. You can harden them off for 10 to 14 days before transplanting them in theground or in containers outdoors.
Types of Strawflower
Cottage Pink Strawflower
The cottage pink strawflower cultivar produces soft pink blooms with yellow centers in the summer and fall. It features mounded green foliage and typically grows to only 12 inches in height—making it a good candidate for container plantings. You can also find bronze, yellow, and white strawflowers in the cottage series.
'Dreamtime' Pink Strawflowers
The 'Dreamtime' pink strawflowers bloom from mid-spring through late fall. It features dark green mounded foliage and daisy-like blooms with golden centers.
Strawflower Companion Plants
Ageratum
Ageratum is such a little workhorse that nearly every garden should have some. This annual is an easy-to-grow, old-fashioned favorite that produces a steady show of colorful powder-puff like flowers from late spring through frost. It's also rarely bothered by pests, so you can count on it to look good. Plus, it provides some of the truest blues you can find in flowers, a rare thing. Plant in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Plant in groups of a dozen or more for best show. Deadhead and fertilize regularly for best blooms.
Evolvulus
If you love morning glories, try this low-growing cousin, which has even more gorgeous sky blue flowers. Like the morning glory that grows upward, this more earthbound beauty produces striking blue flowers all season long. And like its cousin, the flowers tend to close in the afternoon hours. In Zones 8-11, in the warmest part of the country, this tropical is a perennial; farther north, it's grown as an annual. Its spreading habit is perfect for spilling over baskets, window boxes, and other containers. Plant established plants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Evolvulus likes rich, well-drained soil and needs just average water. It's somewhat drought-tolerant, so don't overwater.
Nigella
With its intricate flowers and fine-textured foliage, nigella stands out in the garden. This delightful little annual blooms throughout the summer, and the seedpods are often used in dried-flower crafts. Nigella does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It often reseeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are strawflowers invasive?Strawflowers are not considered invasive in most regions. That said, if you allow the spent blooms to go to seed in warm climates, they can self-seed and spread on their own.
Strawflowers are not considered invasive in most regions. That said, if you allow the spent blooms to go to seed in warm climates, they can self-seed and spread on their own.
- Are strawflowers deer resistant?Strawflowers are deer resistant, likely because the blooms are too dry to be palatable.
Strawflowers are deer resistant, likely because the blooms are too dry to be palatable.
- How do I dry strawflowers?Harvest your strawflowers when the blooms are dry, but still slightly closed (they will open as they dry). If you plan on leaving the flowers on their stems, carefully remove all the leaves before drying them. Bundle the stems together with twine or a rubber band and hang the bouquet upside down in a cool, shaded, dry space for a few weeks.
Harvest your strawflowers when the blooms are dry, but still slightly closed (they will open as they dry). If you plan on leaving the flowers on their stems, carefully remove all the leaves before drying them. Bundle the stems together with twine or a rubber band and hang the bouquet upside down in a cool, shaded, dry space for a few weeks.
- It rained and my strawflowers closed. Is this normal?Yes. Strawflowers close their bracts when it rains and when they are watered. Once the plant has dried out in the sun, the bracts will open again. Strawflowers will also close at night and on dark, overcast days to preserve their reproductive centers for potential pollinators.
Yes. Strawflowers close their bracts when it rains and when they are watered. Once the plant has dried out in the sun, the bracts will open again. Strawflowers will also close at night and on dark, overcast days to preserve their reproductive centers for potential pollinators.