Xerochrysum bracteatum
perennial

Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy

Xerochrysum bracteatum

The Story

Plant Bio

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as golden everlasting or strawflower, is an erect to spreading herb native to a diverse range of Australian habitats from rainforest margins to subalpine grasslands. The species grows as an annual, biennial, or soft-wooded perennial, featuring green to grey-green lanceolate leaves with hairy or scabrous surfaces.

The distinctive flower heads consist of central true florets surrounded by stiff, glossy, papery involucral bracts that function as petals. These everlasting bracts occur in shades of golden yellow, bronze, orange, red, pink, and white, holding both colour and structure long after drying.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesProduces long-lasting, papery flower heads in multiple colours that hold their form and colour when dried.
Practical UsesAdapts well to coastal salt-spray conditions and exhibits high drought tolerance once established.
Ecological BenefitsProvides food for native bees, adult butterflies, hoverflies, small beetles, grasshoppers, and nectar-eating birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

36 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Short-lived perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Autumn

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
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N
D

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Select a planting site in full sun with highly drained sandy, loamy, or clay loam soil.
  2. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery container.
  3. Water moderately until established, then reduce watering to allow the soil to dry slightly between applications.
  4. Apply a low-phosphorus native slow-release fertiliser sparingly during the warm growing season.

Pro Tip

Avoid pruning hard into old, leafless wood, as these stems lack active buds and will fail to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Plant in highly drained soils to prevent root rot.
  • Tip-prune young plants to encourage a denser, more floriferous habit.
  • Cut back perennial forms lightly after the main flowering flush.

Don't

  • Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soils.
  • Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood.
  • Do not over-fertilise with high-phosphorus general-purpose fertilisers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cottage gardensCoastal gardensRockeriesCut flower bedsContainers

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy questions

What zones can Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy grow in?

Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy bloom?

Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy typically blooms in spring through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy need full sun?

Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

Grow Golden Everlasting, Strawflower, Paper Daisy, Bracted Strawflower, Everlasting Daisy with confidence

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