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Planting and Growing Black-Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)in a field

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia)

Image Credit:
Flower_Garden/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Rudbeckia hirta and other species
Grown as
Perennial
USDA Zones
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
1–3 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Fall
Flower Color
Orange
Red
Yellow
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Cut Flower
Erosion Control
Long Blooming
Low Maintenance
Winter Interest
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Songbirds
Deer-resistant
Rabbit-resistant
Resilience
Clay Soil Tolerant
Cold Hardy
Drought-Tolerant
Heat-Tolerant
Plant Type
Flowers
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Beloved by pollinators, black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) generally bloom from June to September (or longer!), often blanketing open fields with their golden-yellow beauty. 

Learn how to care for this native wildflower, when to cut it back, and how to save seeds for replanting.

The “black eye” of black-eyed Susans refers to the dark brown center of their daisy-like flower heads. A member of the aster family, Asteraceae, and native to eastern North America, they have become naturalized in Zones 3 to 9. While some species of black-eyed Susans have additional names, such as Gloriosa daisies, they all belong to the Rudbeckia genus. The popular Rudbeckia hirta is treated as a short-lived perennial.

Buy Seeds Now

Field of bright yellow black-eyed Susan flowers.
Black-eyed Susans are a natural for hot weather. 

Black-eyed Susans grow 1 to 3 feet tall or more, with leaves 6 inches long, stalks over 8 inches long, and flowers 2 to 3 inches in diameter. In the garden, they do well in landscapes, borders, butterfly gardens, or containers. They are also outstanding cut flowers.

Butterflies, bees, and other insects are attracted to the flowers for the nectar. As they drink the nectar, they move pollen from one plant to another, causing it to grow seeds that can move about easily with the wind. “The Silvery Checkerspot butterfly uses Rudbeckia species as a host plant,” explains the University of Maryland. “Seed is consumed by songbirds, especially goldfinches.”

Planting

When to Plant Black-eyed Susan

  • Set new plants out in the spring after all danger has passed, or plant in the fall. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 70° to 75°F. Do not plant in the hot summer.
  • If planting by seed, sow seeds about 6 weeks before the average last frost.

Where to Plant Black-eyed Susan

The black-eyed Susan thrives in full sunshine. It tolerates partial sun, but it will not bloom as reliably. It’s best if the soil is fertile (not poor), though this plant can tolerate tough conditions.

How to Plant Black-eyed Susan

  • Plants should be set 18 inches apart. Remove weeds and loosen the soil. Make a hole a few inches wider than the plant and set it in the hole; backfill it with soil, tamp gently, and water it well.
  • If planting from seed indoors, sprinkle seeds on top of the regular seed starting mix. Do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate. Plant your seedlings outdoors after any danger of frost has passed. Since black-eyed Susans can spread between 12 and 18 inches, plant seeds closer to prevent lots of spreading, or plant further apart to make a nice border and to prevent the spread of disease.
  • Black-eyed Susan spreads by self-seeding (after the first year) and underground rhizomes; this can result in it overtaking other nearby flowers.
Black-eyed Susans in a garden
Though short-lived as perennials, Rudbeckia hirta self-seeds readily. Credit: Mariia Boiko

Growing

  • Check plants regularly to see if they need watering. Avoid letting them dry out, and avoid excess moisture on the leaves, as this can encourage disease. (Provide plants with proper spacing.)
  • Deadhead the flowers any time of year (remove the faded/dead flowers) to prolong blooming and minimize self-seeding.
  • Remove dead plant material in the spring to reduce the risk of infection.
  • Divide perennial types every 3 to 4 years to ensure healthy plants and prevent excessive spreading.

Should You Cut Back Black-Eyed Susans?

When it comes to black-eyed Susans, we prefer to delay cutting back until spring. 

  • This plant is a favorite with wildlife, native insects, and birds with its dried seeds.
  • In addition, overwintering birds find protection in plant stubs and ground covers.
  • Plus, the mound of foliage will insulate the roots and protect the plant over winter. 

However, black-eyed Susans are a big reseeder. To avoid this, cut the spent flowers back just below the mound of foliage.

Harvesting

Cut flowers for display just before buds completely open. Use large blooms as centerpieces and smaller ones as accents. Change the water every day to keep them fresh. Vase life is 8 to 10 days.

How to Collect Seeds of a Black-eyed Susan

Once the seed heads are dry and brown, it’s time to clip some stems. Pop off the seed heads from the stems and toss them in a small jar; close the lid and shake it to loosen the seedheads. Then, dump the seed heads from the jar into a sieve with a white piece of paper below it. Break up the seed heads in the sieve with your fingers. The seeds will come off and fall through the sieve onto the paper! Fold the paper in half and carefully funnel those seeds into a paper envelope. Close and label the envelope and store it in a cool, dry place. 

Learn more about how to save seeds for next year.

Pests and Problems

Black-eyed Susans are deer-resistant plants.

Black-eyed Susans are Sun worshipers who forgive neglect and are tough as nails. However, avoid overcrowding these plants or watering their leaves (vs. soil level), which can lead to fungal disease.

Diseases: powdery mildew, aster yellows, Botrytis blight, southern blight, angular leaf spot, fungal leaf spot, downy mildew, rust, white smut, Verticillium wilt.
Pests: aphids, nematodes, slugs, and snails

Types

As well as the traditional black-eyed Susans, which grow 1 to 3 feet tall (or more), there are dwarf varieties that reach no more than 1 foot (perfect for containers). Varieties can be annual, biennial, or perennial.

The popular roadside Rudbeckia hirta with showy yellow flowers is a biennial in the wild but is treated as a short-lived perennial in the garden. It self-seeds abundantly, naturalizing easily. If you sow seeds 6 weeks before the last frost date, you’ll see flowers in the first year, and they may return a few more seasons (but you can’t always count on it). Some of its many hybrids include:

  • ‘Autumn Colors’: yellow, orange, red, and brown flowers; 18- to 24-inch stems
  • ‘Becky Mixed’: lemon-yellow, golden-yellow, dark red, and reddish-brown flowers; 10- to 16-inch stems
  • ‘Prairie Sun’: All-America Selections winner; 4- to 6-inch bright orange flowers that fade to yellow at the tips; 28- to 33-inch stems. See AAS winning Rudbeckia varieties!
  • ‘Sonora’: large golden flowers with big, chocolate-brown centers; 12- to 16-inch stems
  • ‘Toto Gold’: dwarf type; classic yellow flowers with black centers; 12- to 16-inch stems; ideal for containers

There are also true, long-lasting perennials that will keep coming back and blooming year after year.

  • ‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susans (R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’), known for their longevity and a regular plant in late summer and fall gardens
  • ‘Sweet’ black-eyed Susans (R. subtomentosa), bearing taller flowers and ideal for a more naturalized garden or meadow
  • ’Gloriosa Daisy’ (R. hirta ‘Gloriosa’), 12 to 36 inches tall and tolerates partial shade; giant, bi-color double flowers.

Finally, some Rudbeckia varieties are annuals, such as the Clasping Sunflower (R. amplexicaulis), a low-growing plant for the front of a border garden.

Wit and Wisdom

  • Black-eyed Susans are meant to symbolize justice. Find out more flower meanings here.
  • The genus name Rudbeckia honors Swedish scientists Olaus Rudbeck (1630–1702) and his son, Olof Rudbeck (1660–1740).
  • The species name hirta means “hairy” and refers to the short bristles that cover the leaves.
  • Black-eyed Susans are the state flower of Maryland.

Flowers

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Sue Wienke</span> Mon, 08/19/2013 - 23:39
I love my blackyed susan plants. I have a question about a variety that came up this year. The plant is very tall and the stems are thin with many blooms on each stem. Is this a wild variety?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 08/20/2013 - 08:14

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) have a solitary flower head. It is not this plant. It's really hard to say without a photo!

 <span>Marg</span> Sat, 08/17/2013 - 19:04
Neighbor was getting rid of his black eye susan plants in one area they had taken over. He gave them to me I planted and have been watering them twice a day yet they are all looking dead ? Do I cut them back and hope they will come back next Spring?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/19/2013 - 15:00

Watering twice a day is too much for most plants, certainly for this drought-tolerant beauty. (Drought-tolerant means that it can go long periods without water.) Our sources suggest that it thrives in hot, dry environments but like all—ok, most—living things, appreciates a splash once in a while. Deadheading after flowering can result in more (smaller) blooms. Cutting back to the highest green leaf after the first frost in your area is acceptable but not essential. The flower seeds heads provide food for birds.

We hope this helps!

 <span>Jaymo</span> Sun, 08/11/2013 - 11:50
My black eyed susans bloomed beautifully and grew to about 3 feet in height. I see that if I "cut them back" they may rebloom in the fall - silly question - how far do I cut them "back"? Do I cut them so only a small stem is sticking out of the ground? Please help and sorry for my ignorance!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/12/2013 - 16:21

Good question. When they get a bit "ratty," we cut them down half way or even lower, and they will often grow a whole second set of blooms in the fall.

 <span>Teddi Schmelter</span> Mon, 08/05/2013 - 16:07
Have my blackened Susan's on my deck in pots, doing well until this morning..now they are very droopy...did I give them too much water or too much sun..we did have a few days of rain
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 08/08/2013 - 08:26

They often get droopy in the afternoon from the heat of the sun and perk up in the morning. Keep them perkier by watering deeply in the morning and only as often as needed (when about the top inch of soil is only slightly moist) to encourage your plants to send down deep roots.

 <span>Mf</span> Mon, 08/05/2013 - 13:42
Our first year of Black Eyed Susans is a terrific success. On some of the flowers, I've noticed a green-like growth coming out of the black eyes. What is that?
<span>Donnamotes</span> Wed, 06/12/2013 - 11:57
How do you harvest seeds from the plant? Is it from the dark center? Do you let it dry?