Strawflower plants are a type of annual flowering plant in the daisy family. They are native to Australia and have a long flowering season from spring to fall. The flowers are usually yellow, orange, or red and have a papery texture. The plants are drought-tolerant and can grow in full sun. They are often used in dried flower arrangements, as they retain their color and shape when dried.
Planning Your Garden With Strawflowers
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Strawflowers are annuals. |
| USDA Zone | Strawflowers are hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Strawflowers are generally considered to be quite cold tolerant and can survive temperatures down to 32. |
| Days to harvest | Strawflowers typically take around 60-70 days to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown strawflower plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Strawflowers should be spaced about 8â12 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Strawflowers are tolerant of full sun and can handle hot temperatures. |
| Shade tolerance | Strawflowers are quite tolerant of shade and can even grow in partial shade. However, they will produce the best blooms in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Strawflowers are drought tolerant and generally require minimal water. They prefer soil that is well-draining and should not be watered more than once or twice a week. During the hottest months of summer, they may need to be watered more often. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing strawflowers depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per square foot of soil. |
| Soil pH | Strawflowers prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Strawflowers are Popular
People like to grow strawflowers because they are easy to grow, low maintenance, drought tolerant, and long-lasting. They also come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them a great choice for adding a pop of color to any garden.
Companion Plants For Strawflowers
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for strawflowers include:
Common Pests For Strawflowers
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow strawflowers, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- cutworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
