Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Black-eyed Susan is a native wildflower with golden-yellow petals around a dark brown center, blooming from summer into fall. It's short-lived, but it reseeds freely, so it usually stays in the garden. Goldfinches eat the seeds.
At a Glance
| Plant type | Short-lived wildflower. The Missouri Department of Conservation describes it as usually an annual; North Carolina State Extension calls it a biennial or short-lived perennial. It reseeds freely. |
|---|---|
| Family | Aster family (Asteraceae) |
| Other names | Gloriosa daisy |
| Native range | Eastern United States. Scattered to common statewide in Missouri, in prairies, glades, openings in upland woods, old fields, and roadsides. |
| Mature height | 2 to 4 feet |
| Mature spread | 1 to 2 feet |
| Flowers | Golden-yellow to orange petals around a dark brown center, 1 to 3 inches across. Blooms from late spring or summer into fall, roughly May to October. |
| Toxicity | Our sources don't list it as toxic to people or pets. Some related Rudbeckia species have been linked to livestock poisoning, though livestock usually avoid them because of the taste. |
Growing Conditions
| USDA hardiness zones | 3 to 8 |
|---|---|
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained clay, loam, or sand. Moderate fertility gives the best flowers. |
| Soil pH | Adaptable, acidic to alkaline |
| Water | Medium. Tolerates occasional dry spells. |
| Tolerates | Drought, salt, deer (moderately) |
| Does poorly with | Heavily fertilized soil, such as next to a fertilized lawn |
Will It Grow Here?
Yes, anywhere in our area. Black-Eyed Susan is hardy in zones 3 to 8, which covers every zone in our area (6b through 8a).
| Zone | Grows here? | Towns in this zone |
|---|---|---|
| 6b (our farm) | Yes | Lebanon, MO; Bolivar, MO; Iola, KS; Garnett, KS |
| 7a | Yes | Springfield, MO; Joplin, MO; Fayetteville, AR; Bentonville, AR |
| 7b | Yes | Harrison, AR; Tulsa, OK; Broken Arrow, OK; Tahlequah, OK |
| 8a | Yes | Van Buren, AR; Alma, AR |
Not sure which zone you're in? Look up your ZIP code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (opens in a new tab).
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Missouri zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
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Arkansas zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
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Oklahoma zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
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Kansas zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
Official 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps. Tap a map to open it full size.
Maps: USDA Agricultural Research Service, with mapping by the PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
Plant Patent
Not patented. This is the straight species, not a named variety, so there are no restrictions on growing it from seed or division.
About the Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is one of the most popular native wildflowers for gardens. It grows wild across Missouri in prairies, glades, old fields, and along roadsides. The flowers have golden-yellow petals around a dark brown center and bloom from summer into fall.
Each plant is short-lived. The Missouri Department of Conservation describes it as usually an annual, and North Carolina State Extension as a biennial or short-lived perennial. Either way, it reseeds freely, so a planting usually keeps itself going.
Choosing a Spot
- Sun. Full sun to part shade.
- Average soil. Moderate fertility gives the best flowers. Avoid planting it next to a lawn that gets fertilized, since the extra nitrogen works against it.
- Room to reseed. Expect seedlings to come up nearby.
Planting
Set the plant so its crown, where the stems meet the roots, is even with the soil line. Container-grown plants can be planted at any time of year. Water them in well.
Watering
Most garden perennials need 1 to 2 inches of water a week in summer, from rain or watering. Once established, it tolerates dry spells.
Mulch and Fertilizer
Mulch 2 to 4 inches deep. It doesn’t need fertilizer; moderate fertility gives the best show.
Pruning
Cutting off faded flowers keeps new ones coming into fall. Flower heads left in place drop seed for next year’s plants, and goldfinches eat the seeds in fall.
Common Problems
- Powdery mildew: A white coating on the leaves.
- Slugs and snails.
- Southern blight can also affect it.
Good for Wildlife
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visit the flowers. The flower heads have ultraviolet patterns that bees can see. It’s a host plant for the wavy-lined emerald moth and the silvery checkerspot butterfly, and American goldfinches eat the seeds in fall.
Availability
Currently out of stock until Spring 2027.
Our nursery stock changes through the season. Contact us to check what we have on hand, current sizes, and pricing.
Sources
Growing information on this page was checked against these public references:
- Rudbeckia hirta (North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox) (opens in a new tab)
- Black-Eyed Susan Field Guide (Missouri Department of Conservation) (opens in a new tab)
- Herbaceous Ornamentals, MG9 (University of Missouri Extension) (opens in a new tab)
Disclaimer: The information on this page is based on publicly available knowledge and research. Individual results may vary.