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Native Plant Society of Texas

Hairy Sunflower

Helianthus hirsutus

Other common name(s):

Rough Sunflower

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain
Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands
Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

2
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Hairy Sunflower is an open land and open forest species, generally on drier soils. Self-seeds and spreads via rhizomes so give lots of space, or thin plants as needed. Perfect for wildflower meadows, pocket prairies, and pollinator gardens. Rough texture of leaves and stems makes it relatively deer resistant. Works well for cut flowers. Propagation: root division, seed.

Comments

Blooms August-November. Can grow up to 6 ft from creeping rhizomes. Leaves are finely toothed, up to 6 inches long, tapering to a fine point at the end. Stems and leaves are densely hairy and rough feeling, giving the plant its name. Flowers form in solitary terminal heads or open clusters. Ray flowers are yellow and disc flowers are brownish to yellow. The fruit is a cypsela: a dry, one-seeded fruit, usually topped by pappus. Larval host: Checkered Spot and Painted Lady butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Helianthus hirsutus var. stenophyllus, Helianthus hirsutus var. trachyphyllus, Helianthus stenophyllus

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment You can direct sow seeds in prepared garden beds after the last frost or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds about ¼ – ½ inch deep in well-draining soil. Wait until the flower head has fully matured in late summer and dried on the plant. The petals will have fallen off, leaving behind a seed-filled disc. Cut off the flower head, leaving a few inches of stem attached. Look for plump, dark-colored seeds to ensure viability. Hang the flower heads upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area for a few weeks. This allows the seeds to fully dry out and become ready for storage or planting. Once the flower heads are completely dry, gently rub or shake them to release the seeds. Separate any remaining debris or plant material from the seeds using a sieve or your fingers. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-helianthus-hirsutus/ 2) https://livetoplant.com/how-to-propogate-helianthus-plant-the-right-way/
Clump division Division Use a sharp, clean knife or garden spade to divide the clump into smaller sections. Each section should have a healthy set of roots and shoots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were originally growing, ensuring adequate spacing. Water thoroughly. Early spring or fall, when the plant is dormant, is the ideal time for division. Carefully dig up the entire clump, ensuring you get as much of the root system as possible. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-helianthus-hirsutus/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason