Plug Connection
Helichrysum bracteatum 'Monstrosum'
These big strawflowers have been bred for cutting. A classic dried flower, they are showing up more often in high end fresh design work.
'Silvery Rose' contains a range of pink shades.
Order 6 weeks or more before desired ship date.
**We do not guarantee any specific shades will appear in Mix products, as the Mix is created by the seed breeder. It is possible that Mix will be all one color, or significantly different from pictured colors. If you need specific shades, please order straight colors as opposed to Mix trays.**
Grown in a 288 cell tray, billed as 285
Order Minimums & Tray Sizes
The minimum Plug Connection order is four total trays (each tray can be a different variety)
A full shipping box contains FOUR 128 cell trays or a combination of 128 and 288 cell trays.
*If you are only ordering 288 cell trays, then FIVE trays will fill a box.
Growing Guides
Click here to access our comprehensive growing guides containing everything you need to know about this crop.
| Common Name | Strawflower |
| Genus | Xerochrysum |
| Species | X. bracteatum |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Life Cycle | Tender Annual |
| Format | Plugs |
| Plug Care | Helichrysum are fast growing and should be bumped up into larger cells or planted out as soon after receiving the plugs as possible to avoid them becoming rootbound. |
| Netting / Staking | Not absolutely necessary but 1-2 layers of support can be helpful especially in a windy area. |
| Temperature Range | Slightly frost hardy - plant in the spring around the time of last frost. They can handle cooler temperatures at the time of transplant but shouldn't experience direct frost. They thrive in the heat of summer (They are native to Australia) and will survive the first frost or two in the fall. |
| Spacing | 10-12" |
| Soil Preference | Free draining, poor to fertile soil - very tolerant of soil conditions. Will grow best in soil lightly amended with compost. |
| Day Length | Facultative short day. Plant in full sun. |
| Pinching | One pinch is recommended when the plants are approximately 12" tall. Pinch down to 3 or 4 sets of leaves to promote side branching. |
| When to Plant | In spring, around the time of last frost. Protect from late frosts. |
| Harvesting | Expect the first flowers 75-85 days after planting the plugs. Harvest when the first 2-3 rows of petals have unfurled but before the center disk is showing - they will continue to open after harvest. |
| Post Harvest Care | Place cut stems immediately into cool water. Stems that were cut immaturely will often not hydrate and will be found wilted within a few hours. Expect a vase life of approximately one week. |
| Diseases / Insects | Strawflower are very hardy plants are rarely succumb to disease or insect pressure. They can be susceptible to root problems and powdery mildew if kept too wet. |
| Bailey's Notes |
Water well as transplants until the roots get established. As mature plants they can tolerate dry conditions fairly well. Keep plants deadheaded to promote continuous flowering all season. Strawflowers are perfect for drying. Simply hang upside down in a dry, ventilated area and they will dry out fully within a couple weeks. Flowers harvested for drying can be picked slightly more immature to prevent the buds from fully blasting open during the drying process. |
| Resources |