Heirloom

Sun Ball

Craspedia globosa

Photo: Russell Best · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 4.0)

1" globes on long, stiff stems are easy to harvest and use as cut flowers. Grass-like, silvery green foliage. As a cut flower, it has a long vase life and as a dried flower, it retains its color. Tolerates heat. Craspedia is also known as drumsticks. Tender perennial in Zones 8-11.

Harvest

110-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–11

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 Sun Ball in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Sun Ball · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining; tolerates poor, sandy soil; not fussy about pH

WaterModerate during establishment; drought-tolerant once established

SeasonTender Perennial

ColorGolden yellow

Size1"

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	—

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Sun Ball (Craspedia globosa) flower. Light: Full sun. Days to maturity: 110. Difficulty: Easy.

Harvesting

Sun Ball reaches harvest at 110 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1" at peak.

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

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Sun Ball stems last 2-3 weeks in a vase with clean water changed every 2-3 days. Recut stems at a 45-degree angle and remove lower foliage to prevent bacterial growth. Keep arrangements in a cool location away from direct sun and ripening fruit (which emits ethylene gas).

For drying, hang bundles of 5-7 stems upside-down in a warm, dark, dry room with good air circulation—a basement or closet works well. Drying takes 2-3 weeks; dried blooms remain vibrant for 12-18 months if stored in a cool, dark place in airtight containers with desiccant packets. Sun Ball also presses beautifully; sandwich flower heads between absorbent paper under heavy weights for 2-3 weeks, then use in arrangements or crafts. Unlike fresh flowers, dried Sun Balls require no water and make excellent long-term dried arrangements or wedding/event decor.

History & Origin

Sun Ball (Craspedia globosa) is a cultivar grown commercially. See category-level varieties for general species history and origin information.

Advantages

+Easy to grow — beginner-friendly

Considerations

-Long season — needs 110 days to mature

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are the most practical neighbor here — their root secretions deter nematodes, and since Craspedia is sensitive to root-zone stress, a cleaner soil environment pays off. Zinnias and Cosmos share the full-sun requirement without competing hard for water. Lavender and Catmint at the border pull their weight on almost no extra irrigation, which means they won't create the moist conditions that invite root rot. Black Walnut is a hard no — juglone accumulates in the soil out to 50–60 feet from the trunk and is documented to stunt or kill a wide range of ornamentals, Craspedia included.

Plant Together

Marigold

Repels nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Zinnia

Attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts hover flies and parasitic wasps that control pests

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides complementary bloom times

Catmint

Repels aphids, ants, and rodents while attracting pollinators

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes with aromatic oils

Petunia

Repels aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowers

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants

Eucalyptus

Strong allelopathic compounds suppress growth of surrounding plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Rare; occasional spider mites in very hot, dry climates

Diseases

Root rot in wet or poorly-drained soil; leaf spot in high humidity

Troubleshooting Sun Ball

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

Stems rotting at the base, plant wilting even when soil feels wet

Likely Causes

Root rot (Pythium or Phytophthora spp.) from waterlogged or poorly-drained soil
Planting in heavy clay with no amendment

What to Do

1.Pull the plant — if the roots are brown and mushy, it's already gone; don't replant Craspedia in the same spot without fixing drainage first
2.Raise beds by at least 4–6 inches or work in coarse sand and compost before replanting
3.Water only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry; Craspedia does not want wet feet once it's established

Small tan or brown lesions on leaves, sometimes with a yellow halo, appearing in humid stretches

Likely Causes

Leaf spot (Cercospora or Septoria spp.) triggered by extended humidity and poor airflow
Crowding plants inside the 12-inch minimum spacing

What to Do

1.Remove affected leaves and drop them in the trash, not the compost pile
2.Space plants at least 15–18 inches apart to get air moving between stems
3.Switch to drip or base watering — keeping foliage dry cuts infection rate significantly

Fine webbing on leaves and stems, tips looking bronzed or stippled, during hot dry spells

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — flares when temperatures hold above 90°F and humidity drops

What to Do

1.Knock mites off with a firm spray of water directed at leaf undersides — do this early morning so foliage dries before nightfall
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to the undersides of leaves where mites congregate; repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 cycles
3.Consistent watering during heat waves reduces plant stress and makes Craspedia less of a target

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Sun Ball take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Sun Ball reaches harvestable maturity in 110-120 days from direct sowing, or about 90-100 days from transplanting outdoors. If you start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost, transplant after frost danger passes, you can typically begin harvesting by mid-to-late summer. Exact timing depends on your planting date and local growing season length.

Can you grow Sun Ball in containers?▼

Yes, Sun Ball grows well in containers if you use well-draining potting soil and pots at least 12 inches deep. Water carefully to avoid overwatering (the main risk in containers), and place pots in full sun for best blooms. Container-grown plants may need light staking if exposed to wind, but the rigid stems typically need no support.

Is Sun Ball good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Sun Ball is one of the easiest cut flowers to grow. It tolerates poor soil, handles heat and drought, rarely suffers pest or disease problems, and germinates reliably from seed. As long as you provide full sun and avoid overwatering, beginners almost always succeed with Sun Ball.

How do you dry Sun Ball flowers for long-term arrangements?▼

Harvest fully mature, firm flower heads and hang them upside-down in bundles in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space (basement or closet). Drying takes 2-3 weeks; you'll know they're ready when the entire head feels papery and completely dry. Store dried flowers in airtight containers with desiccant packets; they'll keep for 12-18 months with no water needed.

What's the difference between Sun Ball and other drumstick varieties?▼

Sun Ball (Craspedia globosa) is the classic, heirloom yellow variety prized for consistent 1-inch flower size, long stiff stems, and exceptional color retention. Other Craspedia varieties exist with slightly smaller blooms or different growth habits, but Sun Ball's balance of easy growing, prolific blooming, and superior cut-flower characteristics makes it the industry standard.

Why are my Sun Ball plants struggling or not blooming?▼

The most common cause is insufficient sunlight—Sun Ball needs 6-8 hours of direct sun daily. Overwatering is the second culprit, especially in humid climates; allow soil to dry between waterings. Poor drainage in clay or compacted soil will cause root rot. Finally, over-fertilizing promotes lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Dial back everything except sunlight, and plants usually recover.