Craspedia, also known as Billy buttons, is a beautiful plant that originates from Australia. Craspedia is a member of the Daisy family that is distinguished by its rosette of leaves and yellow spherical flowers.
These flowers look pretty much like tennis balls. Craspedia blooms year-round in hot climates. It is a very ornamental plant that will make your garden look terrific. You can find all the information to learn how to grow Craspedia below.
1. Varieties
There are many varieties of Craspedia and each variety has a certain length. The average height of Craspedia is between 4 and 24 inches. Therefore, the variety you by will determine how tall your plants will be.
2. Planting
You can start Craspedia from seeds or from seedlings. Both are widely available in nursery stores. If you want to start Craspedia from seeds, you should sow them in pots then transplant them in your garden. The best time to sow the seeds is summer or spring. You should sow them at least 1 inch deep in the soil. Once you sow them, cover them with a layer of soil.
Craspedia seeds germinate quickly. They will take no longer than 3 weeks. Most varieties’ seeds germinate in one week. When the seeds become a seedling, transplant them in your garden. Dig a hole as deep and as twice wide as the root ball of your seedling., put your seedling and cover the hole with soil.
If you are planting more than one seedling, you should keep at least 10 inches in all direction between the holes.
- Craspedia can be grown in pots but you need to choose a deep and wide pot
- You can also grow them indoors next to a sunny window
2. Location
The planting site for your Craspedia should be sunny, warm and exposed to sunlight. Billy buttons need access to direct sunlight to grow. If you are growing them indoors, make sure you place them in the sunniest spot in your house. Ideally, choose a sunny window.
The location for growing Billy Buttons is extremely important because it determines whether your plants will bloom or not. In order to bloom, Craspedia requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight exposure.
3. Soil requirements
Craspedia is a low maintenance sturdy plant that can grow in any soil as long as it is not acidic. It does not like acidity but it can tolerate any soil quality no matter how bad it is. However, for optimum growth, a well-drained soil will deliver the best results.
4. Watering
In order to learn how to grow Craspedia, you should learn the growth requirements of this plant. Craspedia is a tropical plant thus it is a drought tolerant plant that does not require a plenty of water. You should water it only when the top layer of soil is dry.
5. Fertilizing
Craspedia is not a heavy feeder thus it does need fertilization. However, it is recommended that you apply a slow release fertilizer such as 7-12-7 fertilizer during the growing season to encourage the growth of your plant. You can also add compost or aged manure for a healthier growth.
6. Mulching
Mulching is also recommended to provide warmth and to prevent weeds from growing. Gravel is the most recommended mulching material for Craspedia.
7. Pests and Diseases
Craspedia is an extremely tough plant that can resist both pests and diseases. However, there are some strong pests that may attack your plant. Therefore, you should watch out for:
- spider mites
- snails
- slugs
This is how to grow Craspedia correctly. Follow these steps and you will have this beautiful ornamental plant decorating your garden. Craspedia is easy to grow and it does not require much care. It is an excellent decorative choice.