How to grow Helichrysum

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Seed Sowing

Helichrysum can be started indoors in March – May in modules or into a seed tray and then pricked out when large enough to handle. Only lightly cover the seeds with compost.

Transplanting

Transplant outside in May once danger of frost has passed, spacing plants 30cm apart. Alternatively direct sow in May into weed free, well prepared soil, sowing into shallow drills 30cm apart. Thin to 30cm in the row once seeds have germinated. Helichrysum can also be grown in containers.

Plant Care

Keep the area weed-free and watered during hot spells. You can mulch around the plants to keep in moisture and prevent weeds. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Support tall-stemmed varieties, especially in windy growing conditions.

Challenges

Generally pest and disease-free, things to look out for are downy or powdery mildew.

Harvest

Pick the flowers often to encourage more flowers to form; they should keep flowering well into the autumn. Ideally harvest the flowers in the morning when temperatures are low and plant water content is high. Plants will arrange better if left to sit in water for a few hours after cutting.

To dry, cut stems and remove lower leaves and hang upside down in bunches in a cool, dark and well ventilated space. Harvest the stems for drying before the flowers are fully open – they will continue to do so as they dry. Handle carefully once dried as the flowers tend to be quite brittle.

Culinary Ideas

Helichrysum petals are edible but not typically used for culinary purposes.

Seed Saving

Leave the seed heads to fully ripen and dry on the plant before harvesting. The flower petals will begin to crisp and loosen and the pappus on each seed will become fluffy.

Harvest the whole heads and lay out on a sheet to dry further. Thresh by hand or feet and winnow to clean the seeds. Isolate from other varieties of the same species by ½ mile.

Store in a cool dark place; seeds should remain viable for around 2 years.

Varieties