Helipterum (Paper Daisy) in Zone 4a & 4b
Rhodanthe chlorocephala
Yes, helipterum (paper daisy) grows in zones 4a and 4b. Start seeds indoors Mar 27–Apr 3 and plant out May 22–May 29.
When to plant helipterum (paper daisy) in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 27–Apr 3 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 22–May 29 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 10–Aug 17 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of helipterum (paper daisy) in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 22–May 29
- MarigoldMay 22–May 29
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 22–May 29
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 22–May 29
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 22–May 29
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 22–May 29
Helipterum, also called paper daisy or Australian everlasting, is an everlasting flower with a papery petal texture that holds its shape and color well whether used fresh or dried.
How helipterum (paper daisy) fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Helipterum (paper daisy) needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
Helipterum (Paper Daisy) planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 13–May 20 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Apr 27–May 4 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for helipterum (paper daisy).
Where to buy helipterum seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries helipterum seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing helipterum (paper daisy)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%204b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Helipterum (Paper Daisy) in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest