Golden everlasting
Helichrysum splendidum · Asteraceae
📷 Stan Shebs · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Golden everlasting is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Golden Everlasting
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant type
- Perennial herbaceous
- Adult height
- 60 cm
- Foliage
- Evergreen, silvery-golden
- Flowering
- June to September, golden yellow flowers
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -10 °C
- Origin
- South Africa
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant Helichrysum in full sun with very well-draining soil (gravel, sand). Water until July, then gradually stop.
The common mistake
Watering in autumn-winter or planting in heavy soil: it rots at the base and dies off, end of story.
The pro's trick
Pick the dried flowers in August (before they get beaten up by winter rain); they keep their sparkle for several years in a vase or dried bouquet.
Seasonal watch
In September-October, watch out for sudden autumn rains that arrive unexpectedly.
Care
Exposure
Place your everlasting in a sunny location, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This plant thrives in warm, bright exposures facing south or west. It will tolerate partial shade, but flowering will be less abundant.
Watering
Water moderately in spring and summer, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Significantly reduce watering in autumn and winter, as this plant dislikes excess moisture. In well-draining soil, it becomes very economical with water once established.
Soil and potting mix
Choose well-draining soil that is poor to moderate, or even rocky and sandy. Absolutely avoid heavy clay and moisture-retaining soils that cause root rot. Add sand or gravel to improve drainage if necessary.
Pruning and cutting
Prune lightly in late winter or spring to maintain compact growth. Remove faded flowers regularly to extend flowering. You can harvest flowers at full bloom to dry them and use them in long-lasting floral arrangements.
Fertilizer
Your everlasting dislikes excess feeding: a very diluted balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. In poor soil, light fertilization at the start of the season can support growth, but avoid overdoing it to prevent weakening the plant.
Pests and diseases
This is a robust plant rarely attacked. The main risk remains root rot from excess moisture or poor drainage. Check for the absence of standing water and ensure good air circulation around the foliage.
Did you know?
Helichrysum splendidum is called an 'everlasting' because its flowers retain their brilliant colour and papery texture long after drying, without fading or losing colour. This property has made it a favoured flower in long-lasting floral arrangements for centuries, particularly prized in South Africa for traditional dried bouquets.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.