Firewheel (Indian blanket) Gaillardia pulchella
Firewheel (Indian blanket) (Gaillardia pulchella) is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Sandy plains and coasts of the southern United States and northern Mexico. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Firewheel (Indian blanket) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Sandy plains and coasts of the southern United States and northern Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Firewheel (Indian blanket) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Firewheel (Indian blanket)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Firewheel (Indian blanket)
- How far apart should I plant Firewheel (Indian blanket)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Firewheel (Indian blanket) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Firewheel (Indian blanket) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Firewheel (Indian blanket)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Firewheel (Indian blanket) flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Firewheel (Indian blanket) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Firewheel (Indian blanket)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Firewheel (Indian blanket). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Native Plant Information Network, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Daisies of red tipped with yellow, like the patterns of a woven blanket, covering Texas roadsides and beaches in summer. A quick, self-seeding annual for dry, sandy, salty ground; the state wildflower of Oklahoma.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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