Grow Your Own Black-Eyed Susans 

Black-eyed Susans, AKA rudbeckias, are an American Native flower that establish well. They grow one to three feet tall, producing a bright flower (often yellow but not always) with a black center, which looks like a black eye, giving it its namesake. They're an excellent pollinator attractor and also grow well as a cut flower! 

We find in our area, Zone 9A, that Indian Summer and Cherokee Sunset varieties do very well. Some varieties of black-eyed Susans, such as Caramel Mix, don’t stand up to our high humidity. 

When do black-eyed Susans bloom? 

Black-eyed Susans typically bloom mid-summer and throughout fall, depending on the species. Some are biennial, meaning they will not flower during their first season. 

Are black-eyed Susans perennials? 

There are both annual and perennial species of black-eyed Susans. Annual varieties will germinate in the spring and flower in the late summer, while perennial species will often flower in the fall. Perennials may often not flower during their first season, so don't worry—just be patient! 

Where to Grow Black-Eyed Susans 

Do black-eyed Susans prefer sun or shade? 

These beautiful plants are best planted in an area that gets full sun (6-8 hours a day). They are able to tolerate some shade, but it's easy to tell if they aren’t getting enough sunlight: the stalks will stretch and get “leggy” because they are reaching toward the light. 

Do black-eyed Susans spread? 

The plants will spread depending on how dense you may have planted your seeds or transplants. Plant them close together to slow spreading or plant them farther apart to promote spreading. Within about 100 days, black-eyed Susans will spread at the base to about 12" to 18” wide.

Can you grow black-eyed Susans in pots? 

As with most things, black-eyed Susans will grow in a container. Make sure you choose a sizable container, about a 2-gallon pot, and ensure you use a well-draining, high-quality soil. Some tips for growing flowers in containers include: 

• Protect them from the hot afternoon sun so that they do not dry out too quickly. 
• More frequent watering will be potentially required in a container as you lose moisture from the bottom of the pot. 
• Container-grown flowers may need more consistent nutrient additions, as nutrients are often washed out over the course of normal waterings. Use a slow-release organic fertilizer to help keep the soil active. 

How to Plant Black-Eyed Susan Seeds 

Seeds need light to germinate, so make sure you lightly cover them. Some people just scatter them and leave them uncovered. Plant them in a fertile soil (we usually use an all purpose organic feed and a good compost to fortify our bed). 

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

Black-eyed Susans can also be purchased already started and transplanted if you don’t have luck with seeds or just 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 to not plant it too deep and make sure that all the roots are covered, as well.

It is also important to acclimate your transplant to its new environment (it might not tolerate full sun or warmer temps if it was grown indoors or under a shade cloth at the nursery). I always recommend watering in transplants with liquid seaweed to promote healthier roots and to prevent transplant shock. 

Black-Eyed Susans Plant Care 

Should I prune black-eyed Susans?

Deadheading black-eyed Susans is optional. This can be done by pinching off the spent blooms on stems with multiple heads or by cutting back the stem at the base on those with only one flower head. Pruning is not necessary unless you're wanting to extend your bloom time.

The easiest way to prolong the bloom time of your black-eyed Susans is to cut some of the stems in early summer to promote them to bloom later. You can do this by cutting the stem back a third of the way down.

Depending on whether you want them to spread or not, pruning and deadheading will prevent seeds from spreading at the end of the flower's life. 

Are black-eyed Susans deer resistant?

Yes, they are! The coarse hairs you see on the stems deter wildlife pests such as deer and rabbits. 

Round 1: Black-Eyed Susan vs Sunflower 

Sunflowers are an annual, while black-eyed Susans can be both annuals and perennials! Sunflowers are single stemmed and far less productive, but they often produce a much bigger plant and bloom, depending on the species. Black-eyed Susans will come back year after year once established, providing a beautiful wildflower coverage. 

Round 2: Black-Eyed Susan vs Coneflower 

Both flowers come from the Aster family. Coneflowers do well in partial shade, unlike black-eyed Susans. Coneflowers are single-stalked plants that produce pink- to lavender-colored flowers. They can spread two to three feet, so they require more space than black-eyed Susans. Both are deer-resistant plants and an excellent pollinator attractor for bees and butterflies.

David Pool of Mid County Edible Landscaping

David has managed and owned his family business, Mid-County Farm & Feed Supply, for almost 20 years. When he realized his store had become the go-to place for gardeners seeking knowledge and honest answers, David decided he wanted to bring his knowledge and love for gardening to his customers' own homes.

A self-taught gardener, David is always seeking new avenues for learning. His favorite part of gardening is sharing those teachings with others so that they may be successful too.

Follow David on Instagram to learn more about gardening in Southeast Texas.

Thanks to David for supplying the first two pictures of black-eyed Susans in this article.