Rudbeckia subtomentosa aka Sweet Coneflower

Taxonomy

Rudbeckia subtomentosa, commonly known as the sweet coneflower, is a clump-forming perennial plant in the Asteraceae family. Native to the central United States, this flowering plant grows to a height of 80-90cm. Its lance to oval-shaped leaves are green, toothed, and emit a mild, sweet aroma. The leaves are softly hairy in texture. The plant blooms in late summer to early autumn, producing upright, branched, leafy stems that bear flowers. These flowers are composed of narrow, quill-like, butter yellow ray florets that surround a central dark chocolate brown cone. The sweet coneflower is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and requires regular watering for optimal growth. It thrives best in long-lasting, direct light, preferably within 1 foot of a window. Well-draining soil is preferred for this plant. Repotting is recommended each time the plant doubles in size, eliminating the need for additional fertilizers. Belonging to the Rudbeckia genus, the sweet coneflower is native to the central United States.

Common names

Sweet Coneflower

How to care for Sweet Coneflower

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Sweet Coneflower is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Sweet Coneflower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Sweet Coneflower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Sweet Coneflower thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Sweet Coneflower.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The Sweet Coneflower should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Sweet Coneflower grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.


More info:
Wikipedia