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How to Grow and Care for Strawflowers and Paper Daisy Plants

Bracteantha bracteata

This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires or will tolerate shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringWhite flowering plantPink flowering plantYellow flowering plantPurple flowering plantA photograph is availableHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper
The Strawflower is a flower with many names. It is also known as a Paper Daisy or an Everlasting Daisy.
Botanically it is called Bracteantha bracteata or Helichrysum bracteatum.

Growing Requirements for Strawflower Plants

Strawflowers and Paper Daisies are generally considered to be annual plants, but are actually short lived perennials in USDA zones 10-11.
Strawflowers are native to the Australian Outback where they grow to a height of 2-3 feet with a 24 inch spread.
Strawflowers need moist, but well drained soil.
They should be grown in full sun or partial shade and fed monthly with a low phosphorus fertilizer (low second analysis number). 		Angus the Garden Gnome
Strawflowers are great for cut or dried flowers (pinch off the side shoots to encourage larger blooms).
For dried flower arrangements, Strawflowers should be cut just as they begin to open, then dried head down, hanging by the stem in a dry, shaded area for a couple of weeks.

Propagating Strawflower Plants

Strawflower Plants can be propagated by softwood cuttings or grown from seed which should be sown indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date.
Keep the temperature within the growing medium at 70° F.
Germination will take place within 7-10 days.
Plant them 9-15" apart in the garden once the soil warms to about 55° F.
Strawflowers
Bracteantha bracteata
A Golden Bronze Strawflower, Bracteantha bracteata 'Orange Blaze' A Hot Pink Strawflower Plant in Bloom, Bracteantha bracteata 'Pink Glow' A Bright Orange Strawflower with a Bee