Helichrysum bracteatum Frosted Sulphur | Strawflower Seeds

Strawflower Frosted Sulphur produces large blooms in a delicate pastel sulphur-yellow shade with a silvery sheen. Its soft colouring brings a gentle glow to summer borders, fresh bouquets and dried flower arrangements.

Growing approximately 90–100 cm tall, this annual is well suited to cutting gardens. The papery flower heads retain their shape and colour when carefully harvested and dried, making Frosted Sulphur useful long after the growing season ends.

Plant Information

Botanical name: Helichrysum bracteatum
Common name: Strawflower
Series: King Size
Variety: Frosted Sulphur
Family: Asteraceae
Plant type: Annual
Hybrid: No
Flower colour: Pale sulphur yellow with silvery tones
Height: Approximately 90–100 cm
Plant spacing: 25–30 cm
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well drained, of average fertility
Uses: Fresh cut flowers, dried flowers, borders and cutting gardens

Soft Yellow Flowers for Fresh & Dried Bouquets

Frosted Sulphur offers an unusual, understated yellow that combines beautifully with cream, white, blush pink, apricot and lavender flowers.

The large flower heads add texture to fresh arrangements, while their papery bracts make them especially valuable for drying. Use them in dried bouquets, wreaths and seasonal decorations.

Sowing & Germination

Recommended method: Start indoors for transplanting
When to sow: 4–6 weeks before planting out
Sowing depth: Surface sow
Cover seeds: No — light is needed for germination
Germination temperature: Approximately 21–24°C
Germination time: Usually 7–10 days

Sow onto the surface of a fine, moist seed-starting substrate and press gently into place. Do not cover with soil.

Mist carefully or water from below to keep the surface moist without washing the seeds away. Avoid waterlogging.

After germination, provide plenty of light and good ventilation. Harden off the young plants gradually and plant outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.

Direct sowing is also possible in regions with a sufficiently long, warm growing season.

Growing Conditions & Care

Choose a sunny position with well-drained soil. Space plants approximately 25–30 cm apart to allow room for growth and airflow.

Water young plants regularly while they establish. Avoid prolonged waterlogging and excessive feeding.

Tall plants may benefit from support netting or stakes, particularly in exposed cutting gardens. Regular harvesting and removing faded flowers help keep plants productive.

Harvesting for Fresh Flowers

Cut when two or three outer layers of papery bracts have opened, while the centre remains closed.

Strawflowers continue opening after cutting, so harvest before the flower is fully open. Check the opening stage in bright daylight, when the blooms are easier to assess.

Flowers can close in dull weather or at night, making older blooms appear less mature than they really are.

Drying Strawflowers

Harvest at the same early opening stage, before the centre is exposed. Remove unwanted foliage, tie stems into small bunches and hang upside down in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated place.

The flowers continue to open as they dry. Avoid fully open or overmature blooms, which are more likely to shed their bracts and lose their shape.