Does it need deadheading?

Yes, removing spent flowers encourages a longer bloom period.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It grows beautifully in containers with excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Indian blanket.

Gaillardia pulchella

Pronounced gay-LAR-dee-uh pul-KELL-uh

Also known as Fiesta Flower, Firewheel, Indian blanket, Indian blanket-flower, annual gaillardia, blanket flower, fire-wheel, firewheel blanketflower

Indian blanket is a cheerful, sun loving wildflower that brings a burst of color to any garden. It is quite hardy and thrives in poor, sandy soils where other plants might struggle. You will love how it attracts pollinators all season long.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual or short-lived perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to first frost

Care

Plant this beauty in a spot that gets plenty of sun and has excellent drainage. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew if the air stays too humid. Deadheading spent blooms will keep the flowers coming back until the first frost.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings as this plant prefers drier conditions.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season is plenty.
Pruning: Regularly remove faded flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the summer.
Repotting: If grown in a container, move to a slightly larger pot only if the roots become crowded.
Soil: Sandy or rocky, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -10 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 60%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Short-lived perennial or annual, typically 1 to 3 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot.
Stunted growth during the active season.

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 foliage and flowers can cause irritation if handled or chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in those sensitive to Asteraceae.
Edibility: The plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Daisy like flower heads
Red and yellow bi-colored petals
Hairy, lance shaped leaves
Rounded, globe shaped seed heads

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.5m
Leaves: green, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: red, yellow, orange, 4 to 8cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, fall
Overwintering: In colder regions, it may die back to the ground. Apply a light layer of mulch to protect the roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It performs excellently in pots at least 25 centimeters deep with high-quality drainage.

Seed Sowing

1. Collect seeds from dried flower heads.
2. Sow directly in sunny soil after frost.
3. Cover lightly with soil.
4. Keep moist until germination.

Pair with other drought-tolerant natives to minimize irrigation needs.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower · They share similar sun and water requirements.
Blanket Flower · They create a cohesive, long-blooming display.

Similar species

Blanket Flower · It is a perennial relative with similar flower structure.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gaillardia
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern United States and Northern Mexico.
Conservation: It is not of conservation concern and is often considered a weed in some regions.

It thrives in sandy, well-drained soils and open, sunny areas where it can outcompete other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts beneficial insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: pollinator gardens, coastal landscaping, cut flowers, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need deadheading?: Yes, removing spent flowers encourages a longer bloom period.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It grows beautifully in containers with excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors French botanist Gaillard de Charentonneau, while the species name pulchella means beautiful.

Good to know

It is commonly called Indian blanket because of its vibrant, multicolored petals.
The plant is highly drought tolerant once established.
It often self-seeds readily in the garden.

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.