HeirloomContainer OK

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Compact plants are outstanding in the garden or in large containers. Combine Cherry Brandy's 3-4" flowers with rudbeckia of other colors, or do a dramatic mass planting for red blooms all summer. Also known as blackeyed Susan and gloriosa daisy. Tender perennial in Zones 9-10.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

rud-BEK-ee-ah HER-tah

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Black-Eyed Susan in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Black-Eyed Susan · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilAdaptable to most soils, prefers well-drained

pH5.5-7.5

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonTender Perennial

FlavorN/A - Ornamental

ColorBright golden-yellow petals with dark brown centers

Size3-4"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: rud-BEK-ee-ah HER-tah. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Water: 'Cherry Brandy'Cherry-red flowers 'Denver Daisy'2nd Place in the 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials. Has a big mahogany-red eye and yellow petals 'Indian Summer'6-9 inch yellow flowers Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifoliaA rare native variety found in sandhills & longleaf pine woodlands. Stems leafy mainly toward the base. Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherimmaA common variety of fields & roadsides. Stems leafy throughout. 'Sonara'A large mahogany ring on bright golden yellow petals 'Tiger Eye Gold', 'Cherry Brandy', 'Denver Daisy', 'Indian Summer', Rudbeckia hirta var. angustifolia, Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherimma, 'Sonara', 'Tiger Eye Gold'. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Small brown seeds late summer. Displays from July to October.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule.

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Black-eyed Susan cut flowers last longest when stored properly before arranging. After cutting, recut stems underwater and place in cool water immediately. Store in a cool location away from direct sunlight if not using right away—a basement or north-facing room works well.

For preservation, air-drying works beautifully with Black-eyed Susans. Harvest flowers when fully open but before petals begin dropping. Strip most leaves and hang small bundles upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks. Properly dried flowers retain their golden color for months in arrangements.

Seed collection offers another preservation method. Allow flowers to remain on plants until seed heads turn brown and feel dry to touch, usually 6-8 weeks after blooming. Cut entire seed heads and store in paper bags to finish drying. Seeds remain viable for 2-3 years when stored in cool, dry conditions, giving you free plants for expanding your garden or sharing with fellow gardeners.

History & Origin

Origin: Eastern United States, NC

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Salt
+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
+Wildlife value: Butterflies attracted to nectar at the flowers.This plant provides nectar for pollinators. It is a larval host plant to Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) and to Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) which has one brood in the north and two broods from May-September in the rest of its range. American goldfinches, eat the seeds in the fall.
+Fast-growing
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Purple Coneflower

Similar growing conditions, attracts beneficial pollinators, creates attractive color contrast

Bee Balm

Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators, similar sun and soil requirements

Rudbeckia

Same family with identical growing needs, extends bloom season with different varieties

Black-Eyed Peas

Fixes nitrogen in soil, improving nutrition for Black-Eyed Susans

Marigold

Repels harmful insects and nematodes, complementary orange colors

Sedum

Similar drought tolerance, provides late season interest when Susans fade

Lavender

Repels pests with aromatic oils, shares preference for well-draining soil

Ornamental Grasses

Provides structural support and winter interest, similar low-maintenance needs

Keep Apart

Walnut Trees

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill Black-Eyed Susans

Dense Hostas

Creates too much shade and competes for nutrients, reducing flowering

Mint

Aggressive spreading habit can overtake and crowd out Black-Eyed Susan plantings

Nutrition Facts

Calories

15kcal(1%)

Protein

1.03g(2%)

Carbs

3.28g(1%)

Fat

0.07g(0%)

Vitamin C

28mg(31%)

Vitamin A

97mcg(11%)

Iron

0.7mg(4%)

Calcium

39mg(3%)

Potassium

173mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, leaf miners, occasional deer browsing

Diseases

Powdery mildew in humid conditions, root rot if overwatered

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Black-eyed Susan take to bloom from seed?▼

Black-eyed Susans typically bloom 90-120 days from seed germination. Spring-sown seeds usually flower by midsummer the same year, while fall-planted seeds emerge in spring and begin blooming by July. Plants started indoors in late winter provide the earliest blooms, often flowering within 60-75 days of transplanting outdoors.

Is Black-eyed Susan good for beginners?▼

Absolutely—Black-eyed Susan ranks among the easiest flowers for beginning gardeners. They tolerate poor soil, drought, heat, and neglect while still producing abundant blooms. The main requirement is adequate sunlight and occasional watering during establishment. Their forgiving nature and reliable performance make them ideal confidence-building plants for new gardeners.

Can you grow Black-eyed Susan in containers?▼

Yes, Black-eyed Susans grow well in containers at least 12 inches deep and wide. Use quality potting mix and ensure good drainage holes. Container plants need more frequent watering than ground-planted ones, especially during hot weather. Choose dwarf varieties like 'Toto' series for smaller pots, or standard varieties for larger containers where they can reach full size.

When should I plant Black-eyed Susan seeds?▼

Plant Black-eyed Susan seeds in fall (6-8 weeks before first frost) or early spring (after last frost date). Fall planting is often more successful because seeds get natural cold stratification over winter. For spring planting, cold-treat seeds in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before sowing for better germination rates.

Do Black-eyed Susans come back every year?▼

Black-eyed Susans are short-lived perennials that typically live 2-3 years, but they self-seed so prolifically that new plants replace the old ones, creating the appearance of a long-lived perennial garden. You'll have continuous Black-eyed Susan presence in your garden through natural reseeding, though individual plants don't survive many years.

Black-eyed Susan vs Coneflower—what's the difference?▼

Black-eyed Susans have golden-yellow petals with dark brown centers and are typically shorter-lived, while Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea) have purple, pink, or white petals with bronze centers and live longer. Both have prominent central cones, but Black-eyed Susans are more drought-tolerant and self-seed more readily. Coneflowers offer more color variety but require better soil conditions.