Four double yellow daisy-like flowers with orange-yellow centers surrounded by green leaves in bright sunlight

How To Grow Heliopsis Seeds

Updated on Nov 19, 2021
By Shannon McCabe

Latin name Heliopsis helianthoides is an herbaceous perennial in the Aster family. A care-free wild flower that is noted for being fairly drought tolerant.

HISTORY

Native to central and eastern North America, it is also known as ox eye or false sunflower. An excellent choice for native pollinator gardens. Named for the flowers' resemblance to the sun.

USES

  • Native wildflower.
  • Native plantings, wildflower meadows/mixes.
  • Rehabilitation/ restoration sites.
  • Pollinator garden.
  • Visited by butterflies, a range of pollinating insects and beneficial insects as well as a diversity of birds.
  • A specialist pollinator of heliopsis is the ground nesting miner bee.

Flat, bright yellow, daisy-like blossom with orange-brown center, in focus against blurred variegated green leavesFlat, bright yellow, daisy-like blossom with orange-brown center, in focus against blurred variegated green leaves

  • Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.
  • Direct seed outdoors right around the time of last frost.
  • Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 65-75 F.
seven bright yellow daisy-like blossoms with darker orange-brown centers in front of variegated leaves of light green with darker green veins against a pale grey backgroundseven bright yellow daisy-like blossoms with darker orange-brown centers in front of variegated leaves of light green with darker green veins against a pale grey background

  • Plants prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade.
  • Plants are heat and drought tolerant, although they perform best when regularly watered.
  • They also tolerate a wide range of poor soil, from rocky to clay to low fertility.
  • Please note that this perennial really shines in its second and subsequent years; the first year it can be slightly unimpressive. After that first season, however, it is completely stunning.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Typically very vigorous and pest free, the plants are sometimes bothered by aphids.
  • The tall plants will benefit from staking.
two fingers in bottom right corner of frame hold the stem of a bright yellow daisy-like flower with orange brown center against bright red corduroy fabrictwo fingers in bottom right corner of frame hold the stem of a bright yellow daisy-like flower with orange brown center against bright red corduroy fabric

  • Allow the flowerhead containing the seeds to mature completely and dry on the plant, then clip it off and place it in a container.
  • Working over the top of another clean, opened container, rub the flowerheads between the palms, breaking them apart.
  • The seeds can be separated from the chaff by first screening and then winnowing.
  • Store in a cool, dry, dark place over winter.
Four bright yellow doubled daisy-like blooms with darker yellow-orange centers and dark green leaves with scattered buds on stems; in full sunlit garden.Four bright yellow doubled daisy-like blooms with darker yellow-orange centers and dark green leaves with scattered buds on stems; in full sunlit garden.