When to plant black-eyed Susan: in early fall, about 6 weeks before your first hard freeze, or in spring after your last frost. In the Southeast, early fall is the better window. Sow seed in late fall so winter cold wakes it up, or chill it before a spring sowing. Skip the heat of summer.
This is the Garden Almanac from Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, a family-owned wholesale nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, near McMinnville, growing trees, shrubs, perennials, wetland and native plants. Below is a planting calendar for black-eyed Susan, split two ways: rooted plants and seed. They run on different clocks, so it helps to know which one you have.
When to plant black-eyed Susan: spring or fall
Black-eyed Susan roots best in mild weather. That gives you two windows each year. Summer heat stresses new roots, and frozen ground stops them growing.
- Fall: plant once summer heat breaks and finish about 6 weeks before your first hard freeze. Warm soil and cool air let roots settle before winter.
- Spring: plant after your last frost, early enough that roots grow before hot weather.
For the Southeast, Clemson Cooperative Extension says early fall is the best time to plant perennial rudbeckia (the plant group black-eyed Susan belongs to). It names mid-April as the spring option.
Black-eyed Susan planting dates by USDA zone
Your USDA zone tells you how cold your winters get. Use the table as a guide, then check it against your own frost dates. Our frost dates by zone guide shows how to find them.
| USDA zone | Plants in spring | Plants in fall | Seed outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zones 3 and 4 | After the last frost, often mid to late May | Early to mid August | Late fall, once the soil is cold |
| Zone 5 | After the last frost, often late April into May | Late August to early September | Late fall, after a few frosts |
| Zones 6 and 7 (most of Tennessee) | After the last frost, often mid-April | Early September into early October | Late fall, after a few frosts |
| Zones 8 and 9 (warm Southeast) | After the last frost, often mid-March | Early to late October | Late fall into early winter |
Tip: Late October in zones 6 and 7: count back from your usual first hard freeze. With 6 weeks or more to go, plant rooted plants now. With less, hold plants for spring and sow seed instead. Seed sown now simply waits in the soil until spring.
How to plant bare-root black-eyed Susan
A bare-root plant is a resting plant sold with no soil around its roots. It goes in during the same spring and fall windows as a potted plant, but it should not wait. Plant it soon after it arrives, and keep the roots moist until then. Our bare-root info page explains how these plants reach you.
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Soak the roots
Set the roots in a bucket of water for an hour or two while you prepare the bed. Keep them out of sun and wind.
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Pick a sunny spot
Choose full sun. UT Extension's Tennessee Yards notes that perennial black-eyed Susan handles clay, hot and humid summers and a little light shade.
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Dig a wide hole
Make the hole wide enough to spread the roots out flat, and deep enough that they hang straight down.
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Set the crown at soil level
The crown is where the roots meet the stems. Keep it level with the soil surface, not buried and not sitting high.
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Firm, water and mulch
Fill in around the roots and press the soil down to remove air pockets. Water deeply. Add a thin layer of mulch, kept off the crown.
For more detail, see our planting instructions. Water new fall plantings weekly when rain is short, until the ground freezes.
Sowing black-eyed Susan seeds in fall or spring
Black-eyed Susan seed sprouts best after a spell of cold. Gardeners call this stratification. Sow in late fall and winter does that job for you. For a spring sowing, Clemson Extension advises chilling the seed first.
- Late fall sowing: sow after the soil turns cold, so seed rests through winter and sprouts in spring.
- Spring sowing: Clemson Extension advises chilling seed for 3 months at about 40°F first. A sealed bag of damp sand in the fridge works.
- Depth: cover seed only lightly. Clemson suggests ¼ to ½ inch of soil, kept moist. Sprouts should show in about 2 weeks once it is warm.
Yes, you can scatter the seed. Clear weeds and grass first, and rake the top of the soil loose. Scatter the seed, rake lightly and press it down so it touches the soil. Seed thrown onto grass or mulch rarely takes.
Seed is slower to flower than rooted plants. NC State Extension says the common annual-type black-eyed Susan blooms its first year when sown in early spring. Clemson notes seed of the longer-lived kinds can take 2 years or more to make full-size plants. Rooted plants skip that wait.
Spacing, spreading and winter care
- Spacing: Clemson puts most plants at 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Space them 12 to 24 inches apart so air moves between them, which helps prevent disease.
- Spreading: the perennial kind spreads by underground stems into colonies, says UT Extension. The common kind self-seeds freely, says NC State.
- Dividing: Clemson suggests dividing clumps every 3 to 4 years, in early spring or fall. Our guide to when to divide perennials walks through it.
- Winter: cut back dead stems in fall, winter or early spring. Leave some seed heads standing if you want plants to self-seed.
Natives to plant with black-eyed Susan
These sun-loving perennials from our catalog go in during the same spring and fall windows. Plant them together for a longer run of color.
- Purple coneflower: a butterfly plant for zones 3 to 8, with pink-purple petals around an orange-brown cone.
- Yellow coneflower: bright yellow petals around a brown center, a natural partner for a yellow meadow.
- Blazing star: purple flower spikes that stand out against yellow daisies.
- Goldenrod: dense yellow flower clusters on slim stems, for zones 4 to 9.
Black-eyed Susan planting questions
Can I plant black-eyed Susans in October?
Yes, in most of the Southeast. In zones 8 and 9, October is prime time. In zones 6 and 7, plant rooted plants only if your first hard freeze is about 6 weeks away. Otherwise sow seed now or plant in spring.
Can I just scatter black-eyed Susan seeds?
Yes, if you prepare the ground first. Clear weeds and grass, and loosen the top of the soil with a rake. Scatter the seed, rake it in lightly and press it down. Seed thrown onto lawn or mulch rarely sprouts.
How late can I plant black-eyed Susan seeds?
Seed can go out through late fall and early winter, as long as you can still work the soil. It rests through the cold and sprouts in spring. Sowing late is fine, because the seed needs that cold anyway. Rake it in lightly and press it down.
Do black-eyed Susans come back every year?
The perennial kind does, spreading into larger clumps each year. The common kind is a biennial or short-lived perennial, says NC State Extension. It often comes back from its own dropped seed rather than from the old plant. Leave some seed heads to keep it going.
How do I prepare my black-eyed Susans for winter?
Water fall plantings until the ground freezes. Cut back dead stems in fall, winter or early spring, as Clemson Extension advises. Leave a few seed heads if you want new seedlings. A thin mulch helps new plants, kept off the crown.
How far apart to plant black-eyed Susans?
Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart. Clemson Extension says most grow 1 to 2 feet wide, so this gives each plant room and keeps air moving, which helps prevent disease. Use the closer spacing for a bed that fills in quickly.
