Indian Summer

Family: Asteraceae Flower

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Indian Summer to a garden.

Velvety petals unfurl in a warm, sunlit blaze—golden to amber—framing a velvety black center that seems to glow from within.

Indian Summer Black-eyed Susan forms sturdy, upright clumps with a graceful, airy presence, offering long-lasting blooms with a crisp, daisy-like texture that stands beautifully in the garden. Ideal for beds, borders, and naturalized drifts, it brings effortless color from early season through fall for gardeners who want dependable, showy impact.

Light: Full SunHabit: Clumping

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Indian Summer 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	May 18th	Jun 15th	Jun 15th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	May 4th	Jun 1st	Jun 1st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	May 25th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	May 15th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	May 15th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	May 19th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	May 15th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	May 13th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	May 8th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	May 4th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	May 1st – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Apr 25th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Apr 20th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Apr 10th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Apr 1st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Mar 23rd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	Mar 6th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Feb 9th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	N/A
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Rudbeckia hirta (black-eyed Susan), and how can I control it?

Rudbeckia hirta commonly gets powdery mildew in warm, humid weather with poor airflow. Water at the soil line, avoid wetting the leaves, and space plants for airflow; remove heavily infected leaves and improve sun exposure. If it keeps recurring, apply a labeled fungicide made for powdery mildew per the label and repeat as directed.

How often should I water Rudbeckia hirta during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During active growth and bud formation, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry; Rudbeckia tolerates some drought once established, but inconsistent moisture can reduce flowering. Mulch lightly to steady moisture, and ensure drainage so roots don’t sit in water.

How do I tell when Indian Summer (Rudbeckia hirta) is ready to harvest for cut flowers or seed?

For cut flowers, harvest when the ray florets are fully extended and the central disk florets are just beginning to open—blooms should look crisp and freshly colored, not faded. For seed, leave flower heads on the plant until the central disk turns dark and dry and the seeds look firm; cut heads then dry them indoors before separating seeds.