Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta and R. fulgida
Black-eyed Susans are bright, golden-yellow daisies with dark brown centres that flower for months from midsummer into autumn. They are easy, drought-tolerant and loved by pollinators.
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Low
Water in dry spells; established plants are drought tolerant.
Soil
Average, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-30–38 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Light feeding in spring.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, division
Deadhead for more flowers; leave late seed heads for birds.
Not considered seriously toxic, though eating the plant may cause mild stomach upset in pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Grows as an annual in hot climates and a perennial in cold ones.
Self-seeds freely.
Plant with grasses for a prairie look.
Space well to avoid mildew.
Common problems
Aphids
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new shoots and buds, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →DiseasePowdery mildew
A fungal disease that coats leaves, buds and young shoots with a white, flour-like dust, weakening the plant and spoiling flowers and fruit.
How to treat it →
