Black-Eyed Susan

Family: Asteraceae Flower

Planting Schedule

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Velvety petals in warm golden amber flare outward from a nearly inky, button-dark center, creating a sunburst bloom that feels luminous even on the calmest days.

Black-Eyed Susan forms sturdy, upright clumps with a graceful, airy presence—its flowers hold their shape and texture beautifully as they sway. Grow it for long-lasting garden color in beds and borders, where its bold, high-contrast blooms make a striking statement from early summer into fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Black-Eyed Susan

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Black-Eyed Susan Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Apr 20th	Jun 1st	Jul 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 13th	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat powdery mildew on Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) in humid weather?

Powdery mildew shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves, usually after warm, humid spells. Improve airflow by spacing plants 12–18 in. apart and watering at the soil line (not the foliage). If it appears, spray with potassium bicarbonate or a labeled fungicide and remove badly affected leaves to slow spread.

How often should I water Black-Eyed Susan during the main growing phase (after seedlings establish)?

Water deeply about 1 inch per week during active growth, then let the top 1–2 in. of soil dry slightly before watering again. In hot, dry weeks you may need 2–3 waterings per week, but always avoid soggy soil since Rudbeckia quickly suffers from root problems. A simple test: if the soil feels dry and crumbly at 1–2 in. down, it’s time to water.

How can I tell when Black-Eyed Susan is ready to harvest?

Harvest cut flowers when the center disk is mostly open and the petals are fully expanded, typically around 60 days from sowing. For seed, wait until the ray petals wither and fall and the central disk turns dark and dry; shake the head gently and harvest when seeds don’t cling loosely. Dry harvested seed heads in a well-ventilated area for 1–2 weeks before storing.