Helicrysum / Strawflower

Growing Guide

Helicrysum, also commonly known as Strawflower a popular are a popular everlasting flower. With strong stems and bright flower heads, they are perfect for preserving.

This heat-loving, drought-tolerant plant is valued for its charming, straw-like blooms in bright shades of red, orange, pink, purple, yellow, and white. A dependable annual, Helicrysum is easy to get along with, rewarding you with non-stop blooms from summer until the first hard frost.

Sow seeds onto the surface of good free draining seed compost and lightly cover the seed with a sprinkling of vermiculite. Place in a propagator, sealed polythene bag or a warm place until after germination which usually takes 10-21 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into pots or trays.

Gradually acclimatise plants to cooler conditions for a few weeks before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm apart, or into plant pots and containers for a stunning patio display.

TOP TIPS

Long-stemmed varieties need staking or they will flop. To promote more flowers pinch back stems before planting ot, this will make you plant bushy rather than tall.

To preserve flowers for the Winter, cut stems just before flowers are fully open, hang small bunches upside down in a cool ventilated area. The bright colour of the flowers will remain, whilst the stems dim to a golden colour.