Growing Mexican Hat Ratibida Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Ratibida columnaris forma pulcherrima
- Other Names: Prairie Coneflower, Long-Headed Coneflower
- Seed Type: Perennial
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Mexican Hat ratibida has a wildflower hardiness to it and can be sown directly in the fall for spring blooming. For earliest blooms, begin seeds indoors 8 – 10 weeks before the final frost. Germination will take 14 – 28 days in full lighting and harden off ratibida seedlings into a sunny spot in the garden or keep indoors with good circulation and full sun.
- Days to Maturity: Matures in 2nd year
- Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9
- Planting Depth: 1/8”
- Plant Spacing: 12 - 18”
- Growth Habit: 12 – 24” tall upright shrub with 12 – 18” spread and unique 2” sombrero-shaped blooms
- Soil Preference: Average, medium dry, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Mexican Hat ratibida does not perform well in clay or poorly drained soils and can be susceptible to mold and mildew if not drained properly. Ratibida is known to be tolerant of drought and dry soils and has no known pests or diseases.
- Color: Golden yellow and crimson bicolored petals around a unique green conical center
Mexican Hat ratibida has a wildflower hardiness and can be sown directly in the fall for early spring blooming. For earliest blooms, begin seeds indoors 8 – 10 weeks before the final frost. Germination will take 14 – 28 days in full lighting and then harden off ratibida seedlings before transplanting into a sunny spot in the garden or keep indoors with good circulation and full sun. For direct sowing, plant Mexican Hat ratibida seeds 1/8” deep and 12 - 18" apart in average, medium dry, and well-drained soil in full sun. Mexican Hat ratibida does not perform well in clay or poorly drained soils and can be susceptible to mold and mildew if not drained properly. Ratibida is known to be tolerant of drought and dry soils and has no known pests or diseases. Mexican Hat ratibida seeds are perennials that flower in their 2nd year as 12 – 24” tall upright shrubs with a 12 – 18” spread and unique 2” bicolored sombrero-shaped blooms.
Ratibida columnaris forma pulcherrima, or Mexican Hat, is a member of the Asteraceae family and native to various arid regions through North America. Mexican Hat is often considered invasive with a weed-like hardiness and known to thrive along roadsides, highways, and railroads from Canada down to northern Mexico. Mexican Hat earns its moniker from its unique sombrero-shaped cone and light rim of orange flowers.