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Flower profile

Black-Eyed Susan

Quick facts

Botanical name: Rudbeckia hirta. In SAF's language of flowers, Black-Eyed Susan means encouragement.

Black-Eyed Susan at a glance

Meaning
encouragement
Colors
  • Yellow
  • Orange
  • Gold
  • Red-brown
Vase life
Short - 'a few days'; NC State rates it long-lasting.
Season
Late spring through summer, into fall with deadheading.
Special care
Cut or buy when flowers are fully open. Re-cut stems and use flower food; strip lower leaves. Keep cool and out of direct sun.
Size
A cheerful daisy-type flower 2 to 3 inches across with 10 to 20 golden-orange rays around a dark, domed center
Also called
Gloriosa daisy, Rudbeckia

About black-Eyed Susans

A cheerful daisy-type flower 2 to 3 inches across with 10 to 20 golden-orange rays around a dark, domed center. Plants are upright and branching, 2 to 4 feet tall.

How to make black-Eyed Susans last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For black-Eyed Susans. Cut or buy when flowers are fully open. Re-cut stems and use flower food; strip lower leaves. Keep cool and out of direct sun.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about black-Eyed Susans

What does the Black-Eyed Susan mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the Black-Eyed Susan stands for "encouragement".

What colors do Black-Eyed Susans come in?

Black-Eyed Susans come in yellow, orange, gold and red-brown.

How long do Black-Eyed Susans last in a vase?

Short - 'a few days'; NC State rates it long-lasting. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for Black-Eyed Susans?

Keep Black-Eyed Susans cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For Black-Eyed Susans: Cut or buy when flowers are fully open. Re-cut stems and use flower food; strip lower leaves. Keep cool and out of direct sun.

Where can I buy Black-Eyed Susans?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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