How to Grow Red Tasselflower

Emilia sonchifolia · Zones 8-11

Red Tasselflower is an annual grown for its blooms. It's hardy across USDA zones 8 through 11. Its flowers are a modest draw for honeybees and native bees.

Zones

8-11

pH Range

4-7

Sun

Full Sun

Days to Maturity

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What Red Tasselflower is

Red Tasselflower grows as an annual.

How to grow Red Tasselflower

Red Tasselflower grows in USDA zones 8 through 11. Red Tasselflower does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4 to 7, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 90 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.

USDA Zones

8-11

USDA PHZM 2023

Soil pH

4 - 7

USDA PLANTS Database

Sun

Full Sun

Growable Ground plant catalog

Drainage

well (dry spells)

Growable Ground plant catalog

Frost Tolerance

50°F

The lowest temperature it shrugs off — below this, expect damage without cover.

Growable Ground plant catalog

Frost-Free Days

90+

The frost-free stretch it needs start to finish — short-season areas may need an indoor head start.

Growable Ground plant catalog

  1. Start the season right

    Plant red tasselflower in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.

  2. Match the soil

    Red Tasselflower prefers pH 4 to 7 (FAO ECOCROP). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.

  3. Water steadily

    Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.

  4. Harvest at its peak

    Cut red tasselflower blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.

Good to know

Good news for pet owners — red tasselflower isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)

Red Tasselflower offers low value to bees and other pollinators.

Where Red Tasselflower thrives

Red Tasselflower is hardy across USDA zones 8 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.

Zones 8–11 highlighted on the USDA national hardiness zone map

Zones 8–11·Where Red Tasselflower growsOpen map →

On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Red Tasselflower can grow in these states:

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See if Red Tasselflower will thrive on your land

Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether red tasselflower actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.

Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:

Your soil pHYour frost-free daysYour sun & shade

We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow Red Tasselflower in my zone?

Red Tasselflower grows in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.

When should you plant Red Tasselflower?

Most growers plant red tasselflower after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 90-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.

How much sun does Red Tasselflower need?

Red Tasselflower needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.

What soil does Red Tasselflower need?

Red Tasselflower prefers soil pH 4 to 7, on well-drained ground (FAO ECOCROP). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.

Does Red Tasselflower attract pollinators?

Yes — red tasselflower's flowers are a modest nectar source for honeybees and native bees.

Is Red Tasselflower safe for pets?

Red Tasselflower is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data. Always supervise pets around new plantings. (Source: ASPCA.)