Also known as Black-eyed Susan · 3.1k gardener saves
Rudbeckia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Rudbeckia, the genus most gardeners know as black-eyed susan. We track 31 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Rudbeckia varieties
Of 31 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlack-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'American Gold Rush'
#2 most savedBlack-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors Mix'
#3 most savedBlack-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'
Chim Chiminee Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Chim Chiminee'
Cherokee Sunset Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherokee Sunset'
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Giant Coneflower
Rudbeckia maxima
Golden Glow Coneflower
Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldquelle'
Cherry Brandy Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy'
Brown-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia triloba
Cappuccino Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Cappuccino'
Indian Summer Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer'
Browse all 31 Rudbeckia varieties →
How to grow Rudbeckia
What the Rudbeckia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 31 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Rudbeckia year
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March90% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems and foliage before new growth starts
- DeadheadJune–August84% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming
- DivideMarch and September58% of varieties
Divide clumps every 3-5 years when flowering decreases
- PlantMarch, April, September and October42% of varieties
Plant containerized plants in spring or fall
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply once a week during dry periods 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Rudbeckia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Use organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Japanese beetles | Chewed leaves and skeletonized foliage | Handpick beetles or apply organic pyrethrin |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur-based fungicide |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected foliage and apply copper-based fungicide |
Making more Rudbeckia
Division
- Dig up established plants in early spring or fall.
- Separate clumps with a sharp knife or spade.
- Replant divisions immediately into prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Maintain soil temperature at 65-70°F for germination, approximately 10 days.
- Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they emerge.
Rudbeckia questions
How many types of Rudbeckia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 31 distinct Rudbeckia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 3.1k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Rudbeckia grow in?
Across its varieties, Rudbeckia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Rudbeckia bloom?
Most Rudbeckia varieties bloom in mid-summer to fall, late summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Rudbeckia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Rudbeckia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
