Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Outdoor Plants Difficulty: Very Easy
📖 About this plant
A cheerful, hardy native wildflower producing golden-yellow daisy-like flowers with dark brown central cones. Black-eyed Susans bloom prolifically from midsummer to fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and seed-eating birds. Drought-tolerant once established, they self-seed freely and naturalize beautifully in meadows and borders.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
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Light
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
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Water
Every 1-2 weeks
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Humidity
Low to moderate (30-50%)
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Temperature
15-32°C
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Soil
Well-draining loam to clay soil; tolerates poor soil; pH 6.0-7.0
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Fertilizer
Light application of balanced fertilizer in spring; generally thrives without heavy feeding; too much fertilizer causes leggy growth
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- North America (central and eastern United States)
- 📏 Max height
- 30-90 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer - Fall
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets; all parts safe. Some people may develop mild skin irritation from handling
- 🌱 Propagation
- Direct sow seeds in early spring or fall; stratify seeds for 4 weeks at 4°C for better germination; divide clumps every 3-4 years in spring
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to humans and pets; all parts safe. Some people may develop mild skin irritation from handling
Common issues
- Powdery mildew in humid conditions, Aster yellows disease transmitted by leafhoppers, Leggy growth in overly rich soil or shade
💡 Care tips
- Bright golden petals with dark centers bloom all summer,Drought-tolerant once established and thrives in poor soil,Attracts butterflies and serves as a host for caterpillars,Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
