Does it need deadheading?

Yes, removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.

Yes, it is a short-lived perennial that often self-seeds to persist in the garden.

Plant guide

Blanket flower.

Gaillardia aristata

Pronounced gay-LAR-dee-uh a-ris-TAY-tuh

Also known as Blanket-flower, Blanketflower, Common Gaillardia, brown-eyed Susan, gaillardia, great blanket-flower, great blanketflower, great-flowered gaillardia

great blanketflower — Photo by Jared Shorma (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Blanket flowers are cheerful perennials that bring a splash of sunset colors to your garden. They're quite tough and love soaking up the sun all day long. You'll find them to be a favorite for bees and butterflies alike.

Another photo of Blanket flower — Photo by Lauren S. (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Early summer to early autumn

Care

Plant these in well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Deadhead the faded blooms to encourage a steady show of new flowers throughout the season. Watch for wilting if the soil stays soggy for too long.

Watering: Water deeply once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.
Repotting: Move to a larger container if the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Sandy or rocky well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Short-lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Plant growth appears stunted.

Safety

People: The plant contains compounds that can cause mild skin irritation upon contact.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep away from small children as the plant parts can cause irritation if handled or chewed.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in those sensitive to Asteraceae family plants.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Daisy like flower heads
Petals with red and yellow bands
Hairy lance shaped leaves
Rough textured foliage

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: red, orange, yellow, 5 to 10cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
Root RotCommon
AphidsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the foliage to the ground after the first hard frost. Ensure the soil remains well-drained during winter to prevent crown rot.
In containers: It grows well in containers if provided with excellent drainage and a pot at least 30 cm wide.

Seed Sowing

Collect seeds in late summer after flower heads dry.
Sow seeds in a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Cover lightly with soil and keep moist until germination.

Division

Dig up the plant in early spring.
Gently pull the root clump apart into smaller sections.
Replant immediately and water well.

Pair this plant with other drought-tolerant natives to create a low-maintenance, water-wise garden bed.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar requirements for sun and well-draining soil.
Blue Grama Grass · This native grass provides a beautiful textural contrast to the bright flowers.

Similar species

Indian Blanket · This is a closely related annual species with similar flower patterns.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gaillardia
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western North America
Conservation: It is a common native wildflower and is not currently of conservation concern.

It is adapted to open, sunny prairies and rocky slopes where it survives on minimal rainfall.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: pollinator gardens, meadow plantings, cut flowers, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?: Yes, removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.
Is it a perennial?: Yes, it is a short-lived perennial that often self-seeds to persist in the garden.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors French botanist Gaillard de Charentonneau, while the species name aristata refers to the awned bristles on the seeds.

Good to know

It is commonly called blanket flower because it can spread to cover large areas.
The plant is highly drought tolerant once established.
It thrives in poor, sandy soils where other plants struggle.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.