It is considered the incarnation of the long-lasting dried flower. Already in the bed, the strawflower develops papery, solid flowers that do not fall apart. Famous for its colorful radiance, the South African immigrant adorns flower borders and pots all summer long. If you do it right, you can even get your potted Helichrysum through the winter he althy. Read all the details in our answers to frequently asked questions here.
How do I care for straw flowers properly?
The strawflower is a colorful, long-lasting plant that adorns flower borders and containers in summer. It prefers sunny locations, sandy, humus-rich soil and only moderate water supply. Regularly removing wilted flowers promotes lush re-blooming.
Planting straw flowers correctly
Mid-May marks the start of the gardening season for the cold-sensitive strawflowers. In a sunny location, loosen the sandy, humus-rich soil deeply to remove weeds, roots and larger stones. Now dig planting pits at a distance of 20-25 cm with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball. The excavated soil is enriched with compost, horn shavings (€32.00 on Amazon) and a little sand or fine grit. Now pot up the flowers and plant them in the middle, just below the first pair of leaves. It is beneficial for the heat-loving Helichrysum if you mulch with gravel or grit after watering.
Care tips
While the strawflower enjoys a regular supply of water in the first days and weeks after planting, the need for it decreases significantly after it has rooted. Here's how to care for a well-established plant:
- Water adult flowers only when there is no rain
- From June to October, fertilize every 14 days with compost or liquid fertilizer
- Cut off wilted flower heads regularly
In pots there are good prospects for several years of cultivation. In this case, stop feeding nutrients in August to allow the flower to mature. Before the first frost, cut the plant to 2 finger's width above the substrate. Now put the container in a frost-free winter quarters with 5-10 degrees Celsius.read more
Which location is suitable?
The strawflower spreads its lively floral flair everywhere as the sunlight caresses it throughout the day. A warm, airy location is just right for their rustling flowers so that raindrops dry off quickly. It likes to stretch out its roots in humus-rich, well-drained soil, fresh and without waterlogging. The tall-growing varieties enjoy the support of a sunny wall or a garden fence.read more
What soil does the plant need?
The strawflower feels at home in the sandy, loose soil of the rock garden. The soil should be fresh to moderately dry, as wetness has a lasting effect on growth and the abundance of flowers. If you want to cultivate for several years, place the robust summer flower in a pot with low-peat potting soil that is thinned out with sand or fine grit.
When is flowering time?
The flowering period begins in June and lasts well into autumn. This floral staying power needs a little of your helping hand. To ensure that withered flowers do not hinder the buds underneath from developing, please clean out the worn-out heads regularly.
Cut straw flowers correctly
Cut the most beautiful stems before the flowers open so that the strawflower fulfills its role as a dried flower perfectly. The first bracts may stick out a little while the majority of the bud is still closed. For pruning, choose the early afternoon hours on a dry day. As they dry, the flowers open on their own.
Watering strawflower
If summer comes with a long dry season, water the strawflowers every now and then. If in doubt, it is better to water too little than too much. The summer flower copes better with short-term drought than with excessive wetness. Please avoid overhead irrigation, but rather pour the water directly onto the ground.
Fertilize straw flowers properly
If you regularly add compost to the bed and liquid fertilizer to the bucket, the strawflower won't say no. Every 14 days, an organic or mineral-organic fertilizer gives your favorite flowers new life. Don't neglect to water connection. If overwintering is on the agenda, stop supplying nutrients in August so that the plant can mature before winter.
Wintering
In its South African homeland, the strawflower thrives for several years. In the pot you can exploit this potential by allowing the plant to overwinter as follows:
- Put the planter away in good time before the first frost
- Set up in a bright winter quarter with temperatures of 5-10 degrees Celsius
- The cool bedroom, an unheated stairwell or the cold house are well suited
- Water every now and then so that the substrate doesn't dry out
- Do not fertilize from August to March
You can either cut the plant back before putting it away or leave the wilted inflorescences until early spring. In March, repot your winter guests into fresh substrate and gradually accustom them to more light and higher temperatures.
Propagate Strawflower
Propagation is achieved quite reliably by sowing seeds from February. Sow the seeds in a seed tray on a lean substrate and sieve the seeds 1 cm high with sand or vermiculite. Germination takes 10-12 days in a partially shaded window seat at 15-18 degrees Celsius. Moisten the soil regularly and do not apply fertilizer.
Straw flower in pot
Cultivation in pots is beneficial for the strawflower in several ways. You can assign the exotic plant a rain-protected location and have the option of overwintering. As a substrate, we recommend potting soil with sand or grit, which you fill over a drainage made of pottery shards. How to properly care for the summer flower in the pot:
- Only water when the top 2-3 cm of the substrate has dried
- From June to August/September, fertilize liquidly every 14 days
- Cut off wilted flowers as soon as possible for lush rebloom
When the temperatures drop in autumn, move the pot into the bright winter quarters. At a frost-free temperature of 5-10 degrees Celsius, only water enough to prevent the root ball from drying out. From August to March the plant does not receive any fertilizer.
Is strawflower poisonous?
A strawflower poses no he alth threat. The completely non-toxic summer flower is therefore wonderfully suitable for the colorful family garden. Make imaginative dry bouquets and arrangements with your children without hesitation.
Beautiful varieties
- Orange Fire: With its bright orange flowers, this richly flowering variety cannot be missed; 70-80cm
- Silvery White: The white flowers are covered with a pink touch; very beautiful cut and dried flower
- Purple Red: The dark pink-red flowers with white bases of this strawflower have a distinctive appearance; 70-80cm
- Sunnyboy: Enchanting balcony flower of the year 2010 with golden yellow, 6 cm large flowers; 30-40cm
- Salmon: An elegant appearance with salmon-pink flowers for beds and balconies; 60-80cm