Arizona Blanketflower Plant Care

Gaillardia arizonica A.Gray

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Gaillardia arizonica, the Arizonia blanketflower, is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to northwestern Mexico (Sonora) and the southwestern United States.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Arizona Blanketflower?

Plant Arizona Blanketflower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Arizona Blanketflower Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Arizona Blanketflower?

Arizona Blanketflower (Gaillardia arizonica) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Gaillardia genus. Arizona Blanketflower is native to northwestern Mexico (Sonora) and the southwestern United States.

Arizona Blanketflower displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Arizona Blanketflower produces colorful daisy-like flowers in red, yellow, and orange hues.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Arizona Blanketflower?

Water a young or newly planted Arizona Blanketflower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Arizona Blanketflower Need?

Arizona Blanketflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arizona Blanketflower Prefer?

Gaillardia arizonica tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Arizona Blanketflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arizona Blanketflower?

Well-draining, sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Arizona Blanketflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Arizona Blanketflower?

Feed Arizona Blanketflower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Arizona Blanketflower?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Arizona Blanketflower is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Arizona Blanketflower?

Arizona Blanketflower can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Arizona Blanketflower?

Prune Arizona Blanketflower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Arizona Blanketflower in Winter?

Arizona Blanketflower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Arizona Blanketflower?

Arizona Blanketflower can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to firewheel plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Arizona Blanketflower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Arizona Blanketflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Arizona Blanketflower?

Arizona Blanketflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Arizona Blanketflower Need?

Arizona Blanketflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Arizona Blanketflower is native to northwestern Mexico (Sonora) and the southwestern United States. In cooler regions, grow Arizona Blanketflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Arizona Blanketflower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Gaillardia genus — compare its care with other Gaillardia species on PlantoScan.

Gaillardia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Arizona Blanketflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Gaillardia Species

Other Gaillardia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Gaillardia arizonica A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Syn. Fl. N. Amer. 1(2): 353 (1884)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arizona Blanketflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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