Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum) Seeds

• Strawflower
• The Strawflower Plant
• How to Sow Strawflower
• How to Grow Strawflower
• Growing Tips for Strawflower
• Diseases and Pests of Strawflower
• Uses and Curiosities of Strawflower

Strawflower

Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum), also known as Golden Everlasting, is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, native to Australia, where it grows wild across vast stretches of open grassland. Known for decades as Helichrysum bracteatum, it was only reclassified into the new genus Xerochrysum in 1990, a name derived from the Greek "xeros" (dry) and "chrysos" (gold), a clear reference to its characteristic golden, papery-textured bracts. Introduced to Europe as early as the 19th century, it has since become one of the most beloved plants for creating long-lasting dried flowers.

The Strawflower Plant

This is an upright, sparsely branched plant that generally reaches 24-35 inches (60-90 cm) in height in the most vigorous varieties, with lance-shaped, greyish-green leaves, slightly rough to the touch. The most fascinating botanical quirk of this plant is that its "petals" aren't actually true flowers, but bracts of the flower head involucre: numerous, spread out, papery in texture and brightly colored, ranging from golden yellow to orange, red to pink, all the way to white and bronze in more modern cultivars. At the center sits a small disc of true tubular flowers, usually dark yellow. It's precisely this bracted structure that allows Strawflower to retain its color and shape for years once dried.

How to Sow Strawflower

Sowing can be done in late winter in a protected environment, six to eight weeks before the last expected frost, or directly in the ground in spring, once all risk of frost has passed. The seeds should just be covered by a thin layer of fine soil, as light encourages germination, which generally occurs within one to two weeks at a temperature of about 68°F (20°C). Before sowing, it's advisable to work the soil deeply, down to 8-10 inches (20-25 cm), and enrich it with a couple inches of compost, although this plant doesn't require particularly rich soil to thrive.

How to Grow Strawflower

Strawflower prefers full-sun positions, an essential condition for abundant flowering and intense bract colors, since the plant comes from hot, sunny climates. It adapts well to various soil types, from sandy to clay, as long as it's well-draining, and shows excellent tolerance to summer heat and fair drought resistance once well established. It's essential to avoid overcrowding plants when setting them out: good air circulation among the foliage effectively prevents mold and other moisture-related issues.

It doesn't require particular fertilizing: an occasional application of balanced fertilizer during the growth phase is generally enough. The plant pairs beautifully with other sun-loving species like Ageratum, Verbena, Yarrow, Black-eyed Susan and Zinnia, creating high-impact color borders and beds for the whole summer season.

Growing Tips for Strawflower

Regularly removing spent flower heads encourages new blooms to form, considerably extending the flowering period, which can run from late spring until the first autumn frosts. For harvesting intended for drying, cut the stems when the bracts are only partially open, as they'll continue to open fully during the drying process: the stems should then be hung upside down in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place until fully dry.

Diseases and Pests of Strawflower

Strawflower is a sturdy plant, generally not particularly prone to insect attacks or serious diseases, a trait that makes it suitable even for less experienced gardeners. The main risk remains linked to excessive planting density, which by reducing air circulation among plants can encourage the development of fungal mold under prolonged humid conditions: adequate spacing between specimens is the best prevention against this type of problem.

Uses and Curiosities of Strawflower

Thanks to its bracts' remarkable ability to retain color and shape for several years after drying, Strawflower has always been one of the most beloved flowers for dried arrangements, wreaths and long-lasting decorations, so much so that it's known as "everlasting" in many languages. An interesting curiosity: the 'Dargan Hill Monarch' variety earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from Britain's Royal Horticultural Society, a testament to the appreciation this Australian plant has earned well beyond the borders of its home continent, becoming a timeless classic in gardens around the world.