Xerochrysum bracteatum aka Paper Daisy

Taxonomy

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant native to Australia and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it has become a popular garden and cut flower choice due to its adaptability in cultivation, with many cultivars in a range of colours from white to bronze to purple available. The species itself is an annual up to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall with green or grey leafy foliage, and produces golden yellow or white flower heads with distinctive, stiff and papery papery bracts resembling petals. The golden everlasting has proven very adaptable to cultivation, with dwarf varieties doing well in rock gardens, containers, or window boxes, while taller plants may require some staking to remain upright. The species is widespread across Australia, growing in a variety of habitats from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas, and serves as food for various lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), as well as adult butterflies, hoverflies, native bees, small beetles, and grasshoppers.

Common names

Paper Daisy, Paper Flower, Yellow Paper Daisy, Strawflower

How to care for Paper Daisy

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Paper Daisy due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Paper Daisy should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Paper Daisy 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

To ensure optimal growth, the Paper Daisy prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Paper Daisy to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Paper Daisy has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Paper Daisy displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.


More info:
Wikipedia