How to Grow Strawflower
'Bright Rose' from Seed
A papery everlasting flower in clean carmine-pink that keeps its colour almost undimmed when dried. Real colour for winter arrangements and wreaths.
Strawflowers are unusual among garden flowers. The petals are already dry and papery on the growing plant, which is exactly why they last so long once cut. 'Bright Rose' is a clean, strong carmine-pink, and it holds that colour through drying far better than most flowers, which usually fade a shade or two.
Grow it for the border in summer and for the house in winter. Cut at the right stage, hang it to dry, and you will have stems that look fresh in arrangements and wreaths for months.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-hardy annual
Sowing Time
Feb to Apr, under cover
Flowering
July to September
Position
Full sun
Soil
Light and free-draining
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
'Bright Rose' is a variety of Xerochrysum bracteatum, still widely sold under its old name Helichrysum. It comes from Australia, where it grows in hot, dry, open places, and it is grown here as a half-hardy annual.
What look like petals are stiff, papery bracts surrounding the true flowers in the centre. Because the bracts contain so little moisture, they dry quickly and keep their shape and colour. The centre is the part that changes: left too long on the plant, it opens into a fluffy, greyish disc.
Cut before the centre opens
For drying, cut when the outer bracts have opened but the middle is still tightly closed. Stems cut at this stage dry neat and colourful. Flowers cut later go fluffy in the centre as they dry.
When & How to Sow
Sow under cover from February to April. The seed is small and needs light to germinate, so sow it on the surface.
Heavy soil?
Strawflowers dislike sitting wet more than they dislike drought. If your ground is heavy clay, grow them in a raised bed or a large pot of free-draining compost mixed with grit.
Surface sow. Sprinkle the seed onto damp seed compost and press it in without covering. Keep at around 18 to 21°C. Seedlings usually appear in 7 to 14 days.
Prick out and grow on. Move seedlings into modules once they have true leaves, and grow them somewhere bright and cool. Pinch out the tips when plants have four or five pairs of leaves for more stems.
Plant out after frost. Harden off and plant out from late May to June, around 30cm apart, in full sun and free-draining soil.
Growing On Tips
Sun and sharp drainage
The hottest, sunniest spot with light soil gives the best plants. No need to feed.
Light support
In rich soil or exposed spots, plants can lean. A few canes and string keep stems straight for cutting.
Keep cutting
Regular cutting keeps new flowers coming right through summer.
How to dry
Strip the leaves, tie stems in small bunches and hang upside down somewhere dark, dry and airy for two to three weeks.
Fresh or dried
Lovely fresh in a vase too, and the flowers dry on in the arrangement.
Wreaths
The strong pink adds real colour to autumn and winter wreaths, where most dried material is brown or cream.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Seed not germinating | Seed covered or too cold | Sow on the surface without covering and keep at 18 to 21°C. |
| Dried flowers have fluffy centres | Cut too late | Cut while the centre is still closed, just as the outer bracts open. |
| Plants yellowing or rotting | Wet, heavy soil | Grow in a raised bed or pot with grit added, and avoid overwatering. |
| Colour fading after drying | Dried or displayed in bright light | Dry in the dark and keep finished arrangements out of direct sun. |
| Greenfly on stems | Aphids in warm weather | Rinse off with water or rub away. Check stems before hanging to dry. |
When to Expect Flowers
Plants sown in early spring and planted out at the end of May usually flower from July. Keep cutting and they continue into September.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow under cover | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
Everlasting pink for winter arrangements
Sow on the surface in spring, plant out in full sun and cut before the centres open. You will have bright dried stems for the months ahead.
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