Blanket flower (Gaillardia mexicana)
Care, watering, light and tips for Blanket flower on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asteraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 0–35 °C
About Blanket flower
Gaillardia mexicana, commonly known as Red Sunflower or Indian Blanket Flower, is a vigorous, low-maintenance perennial prized for its vibrant, daisy-like blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Perfect for pollinator gardens, sunny borders, and as an edging plant, it adds intense color from early summer through autumn. Its drought tolerance and appeal to butterflies make it an excellent choice for water-wise landscapes.
Native range
Mexico and Southern United States
Care tips
It requires full sun (at least 6 hours daily) for abundant flowering and optimal development. Watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings; it is very drought-tolerant once established. It prefers well-drained soils, preferably sandy or loamy, and does not tolerate waterlogging. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Blanket flower
- Warning signs
- Yellow or wilting leaves, soft stems, poor or no flowering, or rot at the base.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Deadhead spent flowers. Ensure full sun and good airflow.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot, or lack of sun. It tolerates neither shade nor waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if rot is not too advanced and conditions are corrected. Act quickly.