Heirloom

Purple Red

Helichrysum bracteatum

Photo: Tubifex · Wikimedia Commons · (Public domain)

Tall, well-branched plants produce dark wine (almost black) flowers 2-2 1/2" across. Fully open blooms reveal contrasting fiery-orange center. Also known as bracted strawflower.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2-3 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 Purple Red in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Purple Red · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained, tolerates poor soil

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorDark wine with fiery-orange center

Size2-2 1/2"

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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Helichrysum keeps producing flowers over a long season as long as you deadhead or harvest regularly, so a single planting can carry you for months. Succession sowing isn't necessary the way it is with lettuce or radishes. That said, if you want a staggered flush of blooms for dried arrangements — particularly to avoid a gap when early plants start looking ragged by midsummer — start a second round of seeds indoors 4-5 weeks after your first, transplanting the second batch out in late May to early June. Daytime temps above 90°F slow germination significantly, so don't bother direct sowing after mid-June in most climates.

Pinch or cut stems down to a lateral bud when harvesting for drying; this keeps the plant branching rather than going tall and floppy. If you let too many flowers go fully to seed, the plant winds down faster.

Complete Growing Guide

Tall, well-branched plants produce dark wine (almost black) flowers 2-2 1/2" across. Fully open blooms reveal contrasting fiery-orange center. Also known as bracted strawflower. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Purple 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

Purple 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 strawflowers last longest when cut at peak bloom and placed in cool water immediately. Store in a cool location (60-65°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. They can be kept fresh for 2-3 weeks in water indoors. For long-term preservation, hang-dry bunches in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space (70-75°F) for 1-2 weeks until papery. Dried flowers retain color and shape for 1+ year in dry conditions. Alternatively, press blooms between paper under weight for 3-4 weeks for flat, decorative specimens. Silica gel preservation locks vibrant color in 3-5 days.

History & Origin

Purple 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

+Striking dark wine flowers with contrasting orange centers create dramatic visual impact
+Tall, well-branched plants produce abundant blooms across 75-85 day growing season
+Large 2-2.5 inch flowers ideal for cut arrangements and dried flower crafts
+Easy cultivation makes Purple Red suitable for beginner gardeners and containers
+Fully open blooms display unique color contrast rarely seen in other varieties

Considerations

-Dark flower color may appear drab in low-light garden conditions or cloudy weather
-Tall growth habit requires staking or support in windy locations to prevent damage
-Extended 75-85 day maturity means later flowering compared to faster dwarf varieties

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially French types like 'Petite Yellow') and Sweet Alyssum are the two companions worth planting close to Purple Red Helichrysum. Marigolds emit thiophene compounds from their roots that suppress certain soil nematodes, and their scent disrupts the host-finding behavior of aphids and thrips — the two insects most likely to bother Helichrysum. Sweet Alyssum tops out at 6-8 inches, so it stays well below Helichrysum's 2-3 foot canopy without competing for light. Its small flowers attract predatory wasps and hoverflies that prey on the same aphids that cluster on new growth.

Lavender and Rosemary make solid neighbors because their cultural needs nearly match Helichrysum's — full sun, moderate water, sharp drainage. You're not managing conflicting irrigation zones. Silver Dusty Miller pulls double duty as a visual contrast and a low-water companion whose shallow roots don't compete with Helichrysum for moisture.

The three harmful companions are worth taking seriously. Black Walnut produces juglone, a chemical that leaches through soil and can stunt or kill plants growing nearby — NC State Extension notes the toxic zone can extend well beyond the tree's drip line. Eucalyptus works through a different route, releasing allelopathic compounds via its leaf litter that acidify and suppress the surrounding soil. Fennel isn't toxic, but it's broadly allelopathic and tends to slow growth in most plants within a foot or two of its roots. All three are worth siting well away from any cutting-flower bed.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while adding color contrast

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while complementing purple tones

White Cosmos

Provides color contrast and attracts beneficial parasitic wasps

Rosemary

Repels cabbage moths and carrot flies with aromatic oils

Silver Dusty Miller

Provides excellent foliage contrast to enhance purple-red blooms

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress nearby plant growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, thrips, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Purple Red

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

Fine webbing on stems and leaf undersides, leaves looking pale or stippled, usually in hot dry stretches

Likely Causes

Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — they thrive when temps push above 85°F and humidity drops
Dusty, dry conditions that stress the plant and let mite populations explode

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mite populations back
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening — full coverage of leaf undersides is what matters
3.Water consistently at the base; a stressed, drought-stricken plant is far more vulnerable

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up after cool nights follow warm days

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum or related species) — spores spread in humid air but don't need wet leaves to germinate
Overcrowding or poor airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 18 inches apart — this is one case where the minimum spacing really matters
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) or a potassium bicarbonate fungicide
3.Remove and bag the worst-affected stems; don't compost them

Plant wilting even when soil is wet, stems turning soft or brown near the soil line

Likely Causes

Root rot — most often caused by Pythium or Phytophthora species in waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Planting in heavy clay without amending, or in a low spot that holds water after rain

What to Do

1.If caught early, pull the plant, trim off rotted roots, and replant in a raised bed or a spot with better drainage
2.Don't water on a fixed schedule — check soil moisture 2-3 inches down before watering again
3.Work in perlite or coarse sand before planting in heavy soils; Helichrysum does not forgive wet feet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Purple Red strawflowers last as cut flowers?▼

Purple Red strawflowers can last 2-3 weeks in fresh water when cut at peak bloom and kept in a cool location (60-65°F). They're also excellent for drying, where they maintain their deep wine color and contrasting orange centers for over a year when hung dry or stored in a moisture-free environment.

Are strawflowers good for beginners?▼

Yes, Purple Red strawflowers are excellent for beginners. They're rated as easy to grow, thrive in full sun with minimal care, and tolerate poor soil conditions. They're also forgiving about watering and harvesting, making them ideal for gardeners of any experience level looking to grow cut flowers.

Can you grow Purple Red strawflowers in containers?▼

Yes, Purple Red strawflowers grow well in containers. Use well-draining potting soil and pots at least 12 inches deep. Place containers in full sun and water regularly but don't overwater. Container-grown plants may stay slightly shorter than in-ground varieties but still produce abundant dark wine flowers with striking orange centers.

When should I plant Purple Red strawflower seeds?▼

For best results, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow after the last frost when soil has warmed. Purple Red strawflowers germinate in 7-14 days at warm temperatures. Space seedlings or thin plants 18-24 inches apart to allow for their tall, well-branched growth habit.

What makes the Purple Red variety different from other strawflowers?▼

Purple Red strawflowers are distinguished by their exceptionally dark wine (almost black) 2-2.5 inch flowers that reveal a striking fiery-orange center when fully open. Also called bracted strawflowers, they grow tall with excellent branching, producing many blooms perfect for cutting and drying compared to some other varieties.

How do I dry Purple Red strawflowers?▼

Harvest flowers at peak bloom, bundle 5-8 stems loosely with twine, and hang upside-down in a warm (70-75°F), dark, well-ventilated space. Drying takes 1-2 weeks. Alternatively, use silica gel for faster drying (3-5 days) to preserve the vibrant deep wine color. Dried flowers last 1+ year stored in dry conditions away from humidity.