Helichrysum Bracteatum King Size Red

Helichrysum Bracteatum King Size Red Seeds

(Strawflower / Everlasting Flower — Crimson Red)

Helichrysum bracteatum is the most well-known and probably the best of all the everlasting flowers. It is the cut flower grower’s staple, producing tall, vigorous, branching plants filled with large papery flowers. The King Size series represents the premium selection within the species — bred for taller stems, larger flower heads, and superior color selection, making it the preferred choice for serious cut flower growers and dried flower producers worldwide
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King Size Red is a color selection of crimson red, producing large flowers on long stems — the deep, saturated crimson tone is one of the most impactful and commercially sought-after colors in the Helichrysum range. The flowers have a characteristic papery texture unique to strawflowers — stiff, dry petals (technically bracts) that feel and sound papery when handled yet catch the light with a subtle silky sheen that makes them exceptional in both fresh and dried arrangements.

The flowers are perfect for cutting, having a subtle silky sheen and being striking in all stages — from bud to fully opened. The plants prefer a position in full sun and do well in poor to average soils. They tolerate heat and drought conditions.

The defining quality of Helichrysum bracteatum as a dried flower is its permanence. Known universally as an “everlasting flower,” the papery bracts do not wilt or lose their color when dried — both the color and shape remain indefinitely, making dried King Size Red stems as useful months or years after harvest as they are when freshly cut. This permanence makes Helichrysum one of the most economically valuable dried flowers in the global craft and floristry market.

For fresh cut use, harvest stems when flowers are just beginning to open — fully open flowers will continue to open further and eventually drop petals. For dried use, harvest when flowers are partially open and hang upside down in a well-ventilated dark room for 2–3 weeks.

In Gulf conditions, King Size Red performs as an excellent cool-season cut flower and dried flower crop. Sown in September–October, plants establish through the cooler autumn months and flower from December through April. The heat and drought tolerance of the species supports Gulf growing through the transition seasons.

Variety Details

• Variety: King Size Red
• Series: King Size
• Species: Helichrysum bracteatum
• Synonyms: Xerochrysum bracteatum, Bracteantha bracteata
• Common names: Strawflower, Everlasting Flower, Immortelle
• Family: Asteraceae
• Breeder: Takii (Europe)
• Flower color: Crimson red
• Flower diameter: 4–5 cm
• Flower texture: Papery bracts with subtle silky sheen
• Height: 100 cm
• Spread: 25–35 cm
• Germination: 0–7 days at 20°C with light
• Days to flower: 80–90 days from sowing

Key Features

• Crimson-red color selection from the premium King Size series by Takii.
• Large papery flowers with subtle silky sheen — beautiful in all stages from bud to open.
• Tall 100 cm stems — excellent for cut flower and dried flower production.
• True everlasting flower — dried blooms retain color and shape indefinitely.
• Outstanding both fresh-cut and dried.
• Heat and drought tolerant once established.
• Suitable for poor to average soils.
• Attracts beneficial insects and hummingbirds.
• 80–90 days to flower from sowing.

Plant Information

• Height: 100 cm
• Spread: 25–35 cm
• Plant type: Annual (perennial in native Australia)
• Habit: Upright, tall, multi-branching
• Sun: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, average to poor fertility — tolerates dry, infertile soils; avoid waterlogging
• Water: Moderate — drought tolerant once established; do not overwater
• Spacing: 20–30 cm apart

Seed Germination

• Seed depth: Surface sow — press gently into soil; seeds require light to germinate; do NOT cover
• Germination time: 0–7 days at 20°C
• Ideal germination temperature: 18–26°C
• Surface sow on fine, moist, well-drained seed-starting mix at 20°C.
• Press seeds very lightly into the surface without any covering — light is essential for germination.
• Keep consistently moist.
• Germination is exceptionally fast — often within days at the correct temperature.
• Transplant seedlings to their final position when they have developed 2–3 sets of true leaves.

Growing Tips

• Sow King Size Red seeds on the surface of a fine, moist seed-starting mix at 18–26°C. Do not cover — light is essential.
• Keep moist.
• Germination is very fast, typically 0–7 days.
• Once seedlings have 2–3 sets of true leaves, pot up and harden off gradually before transplanting to their final outdoor position 20–30 cm apart in full sun. Helichrysum thrives in well-drained to dry soils of average to low fertility — avoid overly rich or wet conditions which can promote lush leafy growth at the expense of flowering and increase susceptibility to root rot.
• Water moderately during establishment, then reduce — established plants are drought tolerant and prefer to dry slightly between waterings.
• Do not overwater; this is the most common cause of failure with Helichrysum.
  For cut flower use, harvest stems when 2–3 flowers on each stem are just beginning to open — buds that are still tight will not continue to open fully once cut.
• Place stems immediately in clean water. Helichrysum has moderate vase life as a fresh cut flower.
• For dried flower use, harvest stems when flowers are approximately one-third to half open.
• Tie in small bunches and hang upside down in a dark, warm, well-ventilated room for 2–3 weeks. Once dried, blooms are permanent — both color and form are retained indefinitely.
• In Gulf conditions, sow in September–October for a December–April flowering season.
• The heat tolerance of King Size Red extends its productive season into the warming spring months.

Gulf Planting Season

• Best sowing time in the Gulf: September–October (indoors or sheltered direct sow)
• Transplanting: October–November
• Expected flowering: December–April
• Note: Heat and drought tolerant.
• Plants may continue to flower into the warmer spring months.
• Succession sowing every 3–4 weeks extends the harvest window.

Fresh and Dried Flower Harvesting Guide

• Fresh cut: Harvest when 2–3 flowers per stem are just opening; vase life 7–10 days in clean water
• Dried: Harvest when flowers are one-third to half open; hang upside down in bunches in a dark, warm, well-ventilated space for 2–3 weeks
• Dried storage: Store dried stems in a dry, low-humidity environment away from direct light to preserve color intensity
• Permanence: Dried Helichrysum blooms retain full color and form indefinitely

Garden and Floral Uses

• Professional fresh cut flower production
• Everlasting dried flower production — craft, floristry, wreaths
• Mixed cottage garden borders and beds
• Dried flower arrangements and wreaths
• Pot Pourri ingredient
• Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators