Black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia hirta) — prairie dwellers — are beloved, bright flowers everybody should have in a garden. Black-eyed Susan seeds are easy to grow and a delight in the garden – a good plant to try to start in your garden. As a bonus, black-eyed Susan’s dark centers with bright yellow outer petals lure bees and butterflies to their flowers, which is not only appealing to a gardener’s eye but also it’s beneficial to your garden ecosystem, too.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced gardener, growing black-eyed susans from seed is a relatively simple process. Here’s a how-to for getting black-eyed susan seeds to sprout.
What Do Black-Eyed Susan Seeds Look Like?
The black-eyed Susan seeds are small, dark, and elongated, looking like tiny splinters of charcoal. The seeds are located in the center of the dry flower head and are easy to gather once the petals have dropped. Their roughness enables them to stick to surfaces, and so their handling requires care. Just one flower head can create hundreds of seeds, giving you plenty of chances to expand your garden.
The seeds darken and harden as they mature. They are the favorite of self-seeding wildflower gardens because they are light, and the wind tends to scatter them. Whether you plan on harvesting them yourself or waiting for nature to take its course, knowing what they look like is useful for identifying when they’re ripe for the picking.
How to Get Seeds from Black-Eyed Susan Flowers
If you want to grow more black-eyed susan seeds, collecting seeds from existing plants is simple. Wait until the flower heads have dried on the stem—typically late summer to early fall. The seed head should be brown and slightly brittle to the touch. Snip off the head with pruning shears and place it in a paper bag to dry further indoors. Once fully dry, crush the seed head gently to release the seeds.
When the plant is allowed to complete its life cycle, it produces viable seeds. If you cut your seed heads too soon, you’ll left with immature black-eyed susan seeds that never germinate. Watch the flowers change from yellow blossoms to dark clusters of seeds. (Parrots, the bush’s friends and foes, can also chow down on the seeds, and if you want to collect them, timing is crucial.)
How to Harvest Black-Eyed Susan Seeds
Harvesting seeds is a quick way of enriching your garden. The great news is that it’s completely free of charge! In order to get black-eyed susan seeds, pick a dry day in autumn and cut off the heads of flowers. If the heads are green, put them to dry on a newspaper for two or three weeks. Once the heads of the flowers are dried up, push them gently off of their stalks and place them in a jar of glass. Then close it up and shake, shake, shake!
Hold a colander over a sheet of paper and pour the jar’s contents into it. The black-eyed Susan seeds will filter onto the paper. You will also receive a little chaff, but that’s okay. When you put in your seeds, the rest of the pieces are added to the soil again.
When to Plant Black-Eyed Susan Seeds
Timing is important in providing black-eyed Susan seeds with a healthy start to their growth, something that is possible in the autumn or early spring seasons. Autumn sowing is to be carried out just when winter approaches, that is, towards the end of October or the start of November at most. It is when the seeds have a chance to naturally stratify in the cold, a natural process that increases their chances of germination.
When you plan to plant in autumn, start by preparing your soil—make it weed-free, fertile, and well-drained. Spread the seeds evenly over the soil’s surface and gently push them in using a hand or a seed rake. This method permits close contact between soil and seeds, and winter’s cold temperatures and moisture condition them to germinate during springtime.
If you prefer to garden in the spring, you must harden off or stratify the seeds beforehand. Chill them in a small cup or a damp paper towel for four to six weeks before you put them in the ground. It simulates winter temperatures and breaks their dormancy, causing better germination when you put them in the ground. Spring gardeners can start the seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost or plant them outdoors when soil temperatures reach approximately 70°F (21°C).
Regardless of when you sow, do not plant the seeds too deeply—these prefer to be in contact with moist soil but exposed to plenty of sunshine. Plant to a depth of around ¼ of an inch. With close attention to timing and conditions, you can have a wonderful display of Black-eyed Susans in your garden.
How to Grow Black-Eyed Susan from Seeds
1. Choose the Right Location
Pick a spot with full sun for at least 6–8 hours daily. Ensure the soil is well-draining, as black-eyed Susans don’t tolerate waterlogged conditions. If you have heavy or clay soil, improve drainage by adding compost.
2. Prepare the Soil
Loosen the soil with a rake or garden fork to promote root growth. Clear away weeds and debris to provide a clean space for the seeds. Mixing in organic matter can enhance soil quality.
3. Sow the Seeds
Scatter the seeds evenly over the loosened soil and gently press them in without covering them. Since they require sunlight to germinate, avoid burying them too deep.
4. Water and Maintain Moisture
Lightly water the soil after planting and keep it evenly moist during germination. Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot.
5. Thin the Seedlings
Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them out to provide enough space for healthy growth. Keep plants spaced about 12–18 inches apart for optimal development.
6. Care for Growing Plants
Water regularly in the early stages, but once established, black-eyed Susans are drought-tolerant. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
7. Enjoy Your Blooms!
With minimal care, black-eyed Susans will bloom from mid-summer to autumn, adding vibrant color to your garden. Their hardy nature makes them a great choice for low-maintenance landscaping.
Black-eyed Susans are highly volatile flowers that not only beautify gardens but also serve an entire role in their capability to attract bees and butterflies. Black-eyed Susans can be easily grown in a multitude of settings, such as garden beds, borders, and pots. With careful planting and maintenance processes, you can establish a vibrant stand of black-eyed Susans that will produce flowers year after year. Enjoy the fruits of these gorgeous flowers in your garden! Contact Blades of Glory Landscaping today! To learn more about maintaining gardens in Texas.
