Sharing about native plants and their benefits to the environment is something we are so passionate about. There are many tools on our site that can help people garden with native plants in the ground. In addition, we want to help encourage gardening with native plants in containers or pots.
From seeds, we’ve grown a few types of Black Eyed Susans that we usually plant in the ground. We’ve also grown them from seeds and kept them in pots to use for hanging plants on our porches and decks.
Because it blooms for a long time and has pretty flowers, the Black Eyed Susan is great for gardening in pots.
If you want to grow Black Eyed Susans in pots, here are the three most important things you should think about:
Everwilde Farms sent us a bunch of different native flower seeds. You can order them from Amazon by clicking on the link on our RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS PAGE. (We may earn a small commission when you purchase through our links, at no cost to you. This helps support our website. ).
If you do what I say below, you should be able to grow Black Eyed Susans in a pot… Read on.
A bright splash of golden yellow and a pop of black centers – that’s what you get when you grow black eyed susan in a pot This classic prairie flower is easy to grow, drought tolerant, and looks fantastic in containers. Adding a pot or two of black eyed susans to your patio, deck or front steps will bring a cheerful ray of sunshine all summer long.
Choosing the Right Black Eyed Susan for Containers
With over 20 species of black eyed susan, it’s important to select the right one for growing in a pot. Look for a more compact cultivar that won’t get too large and topple over. Some good options include:
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Little Goldstar – A dwarf variety that reaches just 1-2 feet tall. Blooms profusely with bright golden petals.
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Goldsturm – The most popular variety Grows 2-3 feet tall with large 3-4 inch blooms
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Becky Orange – A newer variety known for prolific blooming. Reaches 2 feet tall.
You’ll also find black eyed susans bred just for container growing. These include the Super Hero series and the Prairie Sun series. Check the plant tag to make sure the variety you choose is suitable for pots. Avoid taller, floppy varieties like ‘Henry Eilers’.
Pot Size and Drainage
Black eyed susans need a fairly large pot, at least 12 inches wide but ideally larger. This gives their roots plenty of room to grow. Make sure the container has several drainage holes in the bottom. Black eyed susans are prone to root rot if the soil stays soggy.
For lightweight plastic pots, add some gravel or packing peanuts at the bottom before adding soil. This helps with stability and drainage. Avoid overly decorative pots without drainage holes. A simple terra cotta or plastic pot works great.
Soil and Sun Requirements
Use a high quality potting mix, not garden soil. Potting mix will be loose, well-draining and provide the right nutrients. Add a bit of compost or worm castings to enrich it further.
Black eyed susans need full sun – at least 6 hours per day. Less sun will result in fewer blooms. Place the pot in the sunniest spot you have. Pots on a sunny patio or deck are perfect.
Care Tips for Beautiful Plants
Caring for black eyed susans in pots is easy. Follow these tips for the best results:
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Water when the soil starts to feel dry. Avoid letting pots completely dry out. But also avoid soggy soil.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Potted plants need more nutrients.
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Pinch or cut back stems by 1/3 in early summer to encourage bushy growth.
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
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In fall, cut plants back to 1-2″ above the soil line. No need to bring pots inside for winter.
Enjoy Months of Vibrant Color
One of the best parts of growing black eyed susans in containers is their long bloom period. With proper care, you’ll get flowers from midsummer through early fall. Deadheading will keep them going even longer.
Place pots near seating areas to enjoy the bright pops of golden yellow up close. Pair them with other heat and drought tolerant potted perennials like sedum, rudbeckia, and echinacea. Your patio will be abuzz with pollinators flocking to the daisy-like blooms.
When fall arrives, the black eyed susan’s foliage provides continued interest. The green leaves take on a warm, russet orange hue. This striking color pairs beautifully with autumn mums, ornamental kale and pansies.
No matter what time of year, black eyed susan adds easy color and texture to container gardens. A classic flower, right at home in your pots and planters.
So go ahead and give black eyed susan a try this year. With the right variety and a sunny spot, you’ll be rewarded with cheerful blooms summer through fall.
A note on drainage
Be sure to select a pot with good drainage. If needed, add several drainage holes to the bottom of the pot. Without drainage the plant will die of root rot.
If you purchased seed, plant your Black Eyed Susan seeds per the instructions on the packet. Or, you purchased a plant, then transplant it into the pot. Just dig a hole of the appropriate size and plant it.
If you’re still interested, though, here’s how we grow any kind of Black Eyed Susan from seeds.
*Did you know that you can save Black Eyed Susan seeds? Now you do! Check out our step-by-step guide on how to do this in a very unique way.
PROCESS TO GROW BLACK EYED SUSANS IN POTS
Black Eyed Susans can be grown in containers. They should be grown in pots that are at least 1 gallon (4 L) in size and put somewhere that gets full sun.
Select a 1 gallon (4 L) or larger pot to grow your Black Eyed Susans in. The larger the container, the better for your Black Eyed Susans. They will be larger and produce more blooms.
Generally, you can expect most varieties of Black Eyed Susans to get between 1 to 3 feet tall. So, a large pot with some weight to it with help with stability. Gravel can help if your pot is lightweight.
If plan on purchasing a plant, skip the part below about growing from seed. But make sure you read the part about what kind of “Rudbeckia” you should grow in the pot; it’s important.
Growing Black-eyed Susan in a Container
FAQ
Do black-eyed susans grow well in pots?
How do you take care of a potted black-eyed susan?
How many black-eyed susans are in a pot?
Can black-eyed Susans take full sun?