The Beauty of the Black-Eyed Susan Seedling: Growing and Caring 

Black-eyed Susan, also known as Rudbeckias, is a Native American flower that is well established. They grow one to three feet tall and produce a bright flower (often yellow, but not always) with a black center that looks like a black eye, giving it its name.

They are a great pollinator attractor and grow well as a cut flower! Come and lean with us about Black-Eyed Susan Seedling.

About Black-Eyed Susans

Botanical Name

• Rudbeckia hirta

Facilities

• Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Easy Growing, Low Maintenance, Long Bloom Time, Naturalizing, Cut Flowers, Mass Planting

Growth Zone

• Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
• life cycle

Light Requirements

• Full sun, partial sun/partial shade

Soil Moisture

• Dry, Medium, Damp/Wet

Mature Height

• 12-36” tall

Seed Coverage

• 1/4 pound covers 5,445 square feet.
• 1 pound covers 21,780 square feet.
• 5 pounds covers 2.5 acres
• 10 pounds covers 5 acres

Bloom Time

• Summer to fall

SKU

• AM015814

What is Black-Eyed Susan?

The “black eye” of black-eyed Susans refers to the dark brown centers of their daisy-shaped flower heads. A member of the aster family, Asteraceae, and native to eastern North America, it has naturalized in zones 3 through 9.

Although some species of black-eyed Susan have additional names, such as gloriosa daisy, they all belong to the Rudbeckia family.

Black-eyed Susans grow 1 to 3 feet tall or taller with 6-inch leaves, stems more than 8 inches tall, and flowers 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Butterflies, bees, and other insects are attracted to flowers in search of nectar. When they drink the nectar, they transfer pollen from one plant to another, causing them to grow seeds that can easily move with the wind.

How to Collect Black-Eyed Susan Seeds

When the seed heads have dried and turned brown, it’s time to cut some stems. Remove the seed heads from the stalks and throw them into a small jar; Close the lid and shake to loosen the seeds.

Next, pour the seed heads from the jar into a strainer with a piece of white paper underneath. Break the seed heads into the strainer with your fingers.

The seeds will break through the strainer and fall on the paper! Fold the paper in half and carefully funnel those seeds into a paper envelope. Seal and label the envelope and store it in a cool, dry place.

Identifying Black-Eyed Susan Seedlings

Flowers are 2 to 3 inches wide with 8 to 20 orange-yellow petals (striped flowers) and a dark brown or purple central disk that is button-shaped, hemispherical, or conical.

The disc is covered with dozens of small, dark purplish-brown flowers that bloom from the bottom of the disc upwards.

How to Plant Black-Eyed Susan Seeds

• Seeds need light to germinate, so be sure to cover them lightly. Some people just spread them out and leave them exposed. Plant them in fertile soil (we usually use an all-purpose organic feed and a good compost to fortify our beds).

• You can certainly start growing black-eyed Susans from seed indoors. We recommend sowing indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost (this varies by area). The seeds will germinate in about 7 to 10 days, depending on indoor conditions.

• Black-eyed Susans can be bought already started and transplanted if you’re unlucky with seeds or want to skip the extra work. To plant them, dig a hole twice the size of your transplant container and place the transplant in the hole. Be careful not to plant it too deep and make sure all the roots are covered as well.

• It’s also important to acclimate your transplant to its new environment (it may not tolerate full sun or hot temperatures if it’s grown indoors or under shade cloth in the nursery). I always recommend watering transplants with liquid algae to promote healthy roots and prevent transplant shock.

How to Grow Black-Eyed Susans

Light: All Rudbeckia varieties will thrive in full sun. However, some cultivars, notably sweet black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia subtomentosa) and perennial black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia ‘Goldstorm’), also require partial shade.

Soil: All rudbeckias tolerate a variety of soils, from clay to loam. If you have very sandy soil that dries out easily, add organic matter to help the soil retain moisture. If you have soil that holds a lot of water, choose sweet black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia subtomentosa).

Spacing: Plant black-eyed Susans about 18 inches apart.

Planting rudbeckia from seed: Scatter the seeds regularly about six weeks before the last frost. Please do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate. Plant your seedlings outside after any danger of frost has passed.

How to Grow Black-Eyed Susans All Seasons

• Growth habit: Rudbeckias are compact growing plants that do not spread more than 2 feet wide. The height varies depending on the variety; Most are less than three feet tall.

• Stakeout: No need to bet.

• Watering: Most rudbeckias will tolerate dry soil for several weeks. However, if you experience prolonged drought or your plants show signs of stress, water weekly.

• Fertilization: A light fertilization in the spring is beneficial but not necessary.

• Pruning and Pruning: Regular pruning will prolong flowering and reduce self-seeding; Otherwise, leave the seed heads intact as winter bird food.

Black-Eyed Susans Plant Care

Should You Prune Black-Eyed Susans?

Dead black-eyed Susan is optional. This can be done by pinching flowers off the stems of multiple heads, or by cutting off a single flower head at the base of the stem. Pruning is not necessary unless you want to extend the flowering period.

The easiest way to prolong the flowering time of your black-eyed Susan is to cut back some stems in early summer so that they bloom later. You can do this by cutting the stem back about a third down.

Depending on whether you want them to spread or not, pruning and removing the seeds will prevent the seeds from spreading later in the flower’s life.

Recommended Variety

In addition to the traditional black-eyed Susan seedlng, which grows 1 to 3 feet tall (or more), there are dwarf varieties that grow no taller than 1 foot (suitable for containers). Varieties can be annual, biennial, or perennial.

Their many hybrids include:

• ‘Autumn Colour’: 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 Selection Winner; 4- to 6-inch bright orange flowers turning yellow at the tips; Stems 28 to 23 inches. Check out the AAS-winning Rudbeckia varieties!
• ‘Sonora’: large golden flowers with large chocolate brown centers; 12 to 16-inch stems
• ‘Toto Gold’: dwarf type; Classic yellow flowers with black centers; Stems 12 to 16 inches; Ideal for containers

When Does The Black-Eyed Susan Swell?

Black-eyed Susans typically bloom in mid-summer and throughout fall, depending on the species. Some are biennials, meaning they won’t bloom in their first season.

Pests/Digests

Black-eyed Susan seedling is a deer-resistant plant.

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.

FAQ

How Long Does it Take Black-Eyed Susans to Grow from Seed? 

Start annual black-eyed Susan seeds indoors in spring and expect them to germinate within 10 days. Grow seedlings in bright light and plant them when they have five or more leaves. Perennial rudbeckias can be grown from seed, but they require cold stratification, making them a good winter subject.

Will Black-Eyed Susans Bloom in the First Year?

Don’t worry if your black-eyed Susan seeds don’t flower the first year! They usually bloom in summer and fall in the second year.

Can I Just Scatter Black-Eyed Susan Seeds?

Spread the seed directly on the surface of the soil and compact it, leaving the seeds uncovered.

Is it Hard to Grow Black-Eyed Susans from Seed?

The seeds will germinate in about 7 to 10 days, depending on indoor conditions.