Sweet coneflower is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It grows 3 to 5 feet tall and blooms with bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators. It is native to the south-central US; it may escape and naturalize in other areas, including North Carolina. The species epithet means "slightly or nearly hairy" referring to the condition of the stems and leaves. Sweet coneflower prefers medium moisture, well-drained loam or sandy loam and full or partial sun. However, it is an easy going plant and tolerates hot and humid summers, some drought, clay soil, poor soils and is deer resistant. It does like good air circulation and, to encourage additional blooming, you should deadhead spent flowers. Also, the tall stalks may require some support, especially if the plant is grown in a shady area or given too much water or fertilizer. It is a good choice for rain gardens, borders, cottage gardens and naturalized areas. Sweet coneflower will grow to 3 to 5 feet tall and display daisy-like, 3-inch, yellow flowers with dark brownish-purple center disks on branched stems. Flowers faintly smell of anise, hence the common name. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No known serious insect or disease problems. Powdery mildew may appear. Taller plants may need support, particularly if grown in part shade. VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative . More information on Rudbeckia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Lobed
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Grey green leaves, toothed, downy on the bottom. Lower leaves are larger and toothed. Upper leaves are smaller, entire, with a short to no stem.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long Bloom Season
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Yellow rays and brownish purple center disks. The central disks of the flowerheads are fragrant after being crushed.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit detail
The center disk becomes a head of dark, 4-sided seeds that lack a tuft of hairs.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Light green, terete, and sometimes slightly furrowed; they are covered with spreading hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
central United States
Wildlife value
This is a larval host plant for Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillars which have one brood in the north and two broods from May-September in the rest of its range. The adults feed on nectar from red clover, common milkweed, and dogbane. Bees and other polinators are attracted by the pollen and nectar of the flowers. Caterpillars of various butterfly species also feed on the plant. This plant also supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Host plant for
Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) caterpillars which have one brood in the north and two broods from May-September in the rest of its range