Heirloom

King Size Red

Helichrysum bracteatum

Photo: Boston Public Library · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 2.0)

Tall, well-branched plants produce double flowers 2-2 1/2" across. Blooms are dark maroon red. Also known as bracted strawflower.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

24-36 inches

📏

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 King Size Red in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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King Size Red · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam; tolerates poor soil

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorDeep maroon red

Size2-2 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Strawflower is a warm-season annual that blooms over a long stretch — 75-85 days from transplant, then keeps going until frost — so a single well-timed planting carries most gardeners through the season. One succession sowing can extend your cutting window: start a second round of seeds indoors about 4-5 weeks after your first transplant date, and get those into the ground by mid-June. That second planting often hits peak production in September and October, when the first planting is winding down.

Stop successions by late June in zone 7. Seeds started after that point won't accumulate enough frost-free days to reach full harvest before first frost (around mid-November in north Georgia, late November further south). Direct-sowing works from April through early June once soil temps are consistently above 65°F, but transplants give you a more predictable head start.

Complete Growing Guide

Tall, well-branched plants produce double flowers 2-2 1/2" across. Blooms are dark maroon red. Also known as bracted strawflower. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, King Size Red is 75 - 85 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts.

Soil: Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid ( 6.0), Alkaline ( 8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: zer-oh-KRIS-um brak-tee-AH-tum. Spread: zer-oh-KRIS-um brak-tee-AH-tum. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal.

Harvesting

King Size Red reaches harvest at 75 - 85 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2-2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut flowers last 7-10 days in a vase with clean water and a floral preservative. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stems at an angle. For extended enjoyment, air-dry flowers by hanging bundles upside down in a cool, dry place with good air circulation for 2-3 weeks. Once fully dried, store stems in an upright vase or container in a dry location away from humidity and direct sunlight—they remain vibrant and intact for months or even years. Dried flowers can also be pressed flat and stored in acid-free paper between book pages for crafts. Avoid moisture, which causes mold on dried petals.

History & Origin

King Size Red is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Australia

Advantages

+Tall branching habit produces abundant dark maroon blooms suitable for cutting
+Large double flowers measuring 2-2.5 inches make striking dried arrangements
+Quick 75-85 day maturity allows multiple plantings in single growing season
+Easy cultivation requires minimal experience making it ideal for beginner gardeners
+Reliable performer produces consistent quality flowers with minimal deadheading needed

Considerations

-Deep maroon color may fade or darken excessively in intense direct sunlight
-Tall plants require staking or support in windy locations to prevent damage
-Susceptible to powdery mildew in humid climates with poor air circulation
-Prefers well-draining soil and struggles in clay or waterlogged conditions

Companion Plants

The best companions for King Size Red are other warm-season annuals that share its light and water preferences without muscling it out underground. Zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers fit that profile — all moderate feeders with root zones in the top 12-18 inches of soil, and together they pull in enough diverse pollinators to keep a cutting bed genuinely busy from June through October. French marigolds (the 'Petite' series works well) add a practical layer: their root exudates have documented suppression of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) in the top 6-8 inches of soil, and their scent disrupts aphid host-finding. Nasturtiums function as a trap crop — aphids cluster on nasturtium foliage instead of spreading, so you can knock them off the nasturtiums and leave everything else alone.

Alyssum belongs at the feet of the taller strawflower clumps. It tops out under 6 inches, doesn't compete for light, and its small flowers are a reliable draw for parasitic wasps in the Braconidae family that prey on caterpillars and whiteflies. In our zone 7 Georgia gardens, alyssum sometimes reseeds into late fall if you skip deadheading — a free second planting you didn't have to plan for.

Black walnut, eucalyptus, and fennel are the three to keep at a distance, all for the same reason: allelopathic root compounds. Black walnut's juglone is the most aggressive — it leaches through the soil from both roots and decomposing leaf litter and can stunt sensitive annuals. Fennel is the more common offender in an actual garden bed; it doesn't need to be a big tree to cause problems, and most annuals planted within a foot or two of it underperform noticeably. Give fennel its own container or a corner well away from the cutting garden.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting celosia

Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps

Zinnias

Attract pollinators and beneficial insects, complement similar growing conditions

Cleome

Provides beneficial insect habitat and attracts pollinators

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides good companion structure

Sunflowers

Provide wind protection and attract beneficial insects

Salvia

Repels pests and attracts beneficial pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including celosia

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Minimal pest issues; spider mites possible in very hot, dry conditions

Diseases

Minimal disease issues; root rot in poorly draining soil; powdery mildew in humid conditions with poor air circulation

Troubleshooting King Size Red

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Fine webbing on stems and undersides of leaves, with stippled or bronzed foliage during a hot, dry stretch

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temps stay above 90°F and humidity drops
Dusty, water-stressed plants are more susceptible; mites thrive in those conditions

What to Do

1.Spray plants down with a strong blast of water — undersides of leaves especially — every 2-3 days to disrupt mite colonies
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the early morning before temps climb; avoid midday application, which will burn foliage
3.Water consistently at the base to reduce plant stress; a stressed strawflower is a mite magnet

Stems collapsing at soil level on seedlings or young transplants, plants tipping over with no obvious insect damage

Likely Causes

Pythium or Phytophthora root rot from waterlogged or poorly draining soil
Overwatering combined with heavy clay soil — common in Georgia red clay beds that haven't been amended

What to Do

1.Pull the affected plant and check the roots — if they're brown and mushy rather than white and firm, root rot is the culprit
2.Work 2-3 inches of compost into the bed before planting to improve drainage; raised beds are the cleaner fix for chronically wet spots
3.Let the soil dry out between waterings; strawflowers are drought-tolerant once established and do not want wet feet

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing mid-to-late summer when nights start cooling

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum or similar) — spores spread in humid air with poor airflow, not necessarily wet conditions
Plants spaced too close together, restricting air movement between stems

What to Do

1.Cut back surrounding plants to open airflow; the 12-18 inch spacing recommendation exists for exactly this reason
2.Remove and trash — don't compost — any heavily infected leaves or stems
3.Spray affected foliage with a potassium bicarbonate solution or a baking soda mix (1 tablespoon per gallon of water with a drop of dish soap) once a week until symptoms stop spreading

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does King Size Red strawflower take to bloom from seed?▼

King Size Red reaches flowering maturity in 75-85 days from sowing. For earliest blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outside after frost danger passes. Direct sowing in the garden delays first flowers by 2-3 weeks but still delivers summer-long blooms. Flowering continues through fall until the first hard frost.

Is King Size Red strawflower good for beginners?▼

Yes, it's an excellent beginner flower. Seeds germinate reliably in 7-14 days, seedlings grow quickly, and mature plants are nearly pest and disease-free. They tolerate poor soil and irregular watering once established. The main requirements are full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and well-draining soil. This heirloom's ease of cultivation makes it perfect for new gardeners.

Can you grow King Size Red strawflower in containers?▼

Yes, but with caveats. Use 5-gallon containers filled with quality potting soil and provide full sun (6-8+ hours daily). Container plants need consistent moisture and monthly feeding with balanced fertilizer, as nutrients leach from frequent watering. The main challenge is that tall King Size Red plants may need staking in containers if exposed to wind. Direct garden planting is more reliable for this tall variety.

What's the best way to dry King Size Red strawflowers?▼

Harvest fully mature flowers when petals feel papery and dry to the touch. Bundle 5-10 stems together and hang upside down in a warm (65-75°F), dry, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight. Drying takes 2-3 weeks. Avoid humid areas or direct sun, which fades the deep maroon color. Once dry, store upright in containers in a dry location—flowers remain vibrant for years.

How should I space King Size Red strawflower plants?▼

Space plants 12-18 inches apart. Adequate spacing promotes air circulation, reducing fungal disease risk and ensuring each plant receives sufficient light and nutrients. Crowded plants produce fewer, smaller flowers. For a fuller garden look, plant at the closer spacing (12 inches), but ensure thinning during seedling stage prevents overcrowding as plants mature and branch extensively.

When should I pinch King Size Red strawflower seedlings?▼

Pinch out the growing tip when seedlings reach 4-6 inches tall. This single pinch encourages branching, resulting in bushier plants with significantly more flower production. Don't pinch again—additional pinching delays flowering. This simple technique transforms lanky seedlings into full, floriferous plants with double the flower count.