Everlasting (Helichrysum): Growing the Strawflower, the Trailing Type and the Protected Sandy Everlasting

In brief: Under the name "smil" (everlasting) several different plants are hidden. The strawflower (for drying) is an annual ornamental plant related to the daisy, grown from seed for dried arrangements; the trailing everlasting is a perennial with trailing silvery leaves for window boxes that does not overwinter outdoors here; and the sandy everlasting is a protected wild herb that is not collected in the wild. All like a sunny position, well-drained substrate and moderate watering.

"Smil" is several plants: which species are called that

Queries for "smil" and "growing smil" actually belong to three quite different plants from related genera, but their family is the same, the daisy family.

• Strawflower (for drying) – an annual with richly coloured, straw-like dry flower heads, grown deliberately for cutting and drying for vases.
• Trailing everlasting – a perennial with long, trailing silvery leaves, grown here only as an annual planting in window boxes and hanging containers, because it does not overwinter outdoors.
• Sandy everlasting – a small wild herb growing on dry sands and slopes, strongly endangered here and protected by law; it is not collected in the wild.

Strawflower (for drying): growing from seed

Sow the seeds in April or May directly in the bed, or a few weeks earlier into trays on a windowsill for earlier flowering. Fresh seeds germinate easily, without special pre-treatment, usually within three weeks. The plant wants full sun and well-drained, rather poor soil; waterlogging does not suit it. Cut off spent flower heads regularly; this encourages the formation of further flowers throughout the summer.

For drying, harvest the flower heads at the time when they are just opening, not yet fully developed; the colour and shape then last longest after drying, even for several years. Hang the harvested stems upside down in an airy, shady place. You can harvest repeatedly all summer, because cutting off spent flower heads encourages the formation of more; the more regularly you harvest, the more new flowers the plant sets.

The coloured, straw-like dry petals of the strawflower are actually just coloured bracts around the tiny centre of the flower head, hence the Czech name "listenatý" (bracted). It is precisely thanks to this structure that the flower heads do not lose shape or firmness after drying as quickly as ordinary flowers, and that is why they suit dried arrangements and decorations that last for months or even years. You can find seeds and plants as dwarf strawflower for drying Mix, tall strawflower for drying Mix or low everlasting for drying Mix.

Trailing everlasting: growing in containers and overwintering

Trailing everlasting is popular rather for its silvery, aromatic leaves than for its inconspicuous yellow flowers; it suits hanging baskets and large window boxes, where its shoots can trail freely over the edge. It needs a sunny to lightly partially shaded spot and well-drained substrate; waterlogging easily leads to root rot.

In its homeland it grows as an undemanding perennial, but here it does not survive frosts, so it is grown as an annual planting for one season, or kept over winter in a bright, cooler frost-free room if you want to keep the plant for next year too. The plant can also be found in the offer as everlasting.

If you want to keep trailing everlasting over winter, repot it in autumn into a smaller pot and move it to a cooler but frost-free room, watering only sparingly over winter. In spring, after frosts have passed, return it to a sunny outdoor position, where it quickly grows back to its original size. The plant is also easy to propagate by cuttings; cut shoot tips root in damp substrate within a few weeks, so for the next season you can prepare several new plants from one overwintered mother plant.

Sandy everlasting: a protected wild herb

Sandy everlasting grows here rarely on dry, open grasslands on sands along rivers, on wind-blown sands and rocky slopes with poor soil low in humus and nitrogen. It is among the strongly endangered species and is protected by law, so it must not be collected in the wild. Traditionally the dried foliage was used in herbalism, but today this is purely a historical mention, not a recommendation on how to use the plant; collecting a protected species is moreover contrary to the law.

The main cause of the decline of sandy everlasting in the landscape is the retreat of grazing and extensive farming on the dry grasslands where the plant needs a sparse, open stand without competition from more vigorous species of grasses and herbs. In places where grazing or regular mowing has ceased, everlasting gradually disappears, because taller vegetation shades and crowds it out. If you want a similar-looking yellow-flowering annual at home without legal complications, rather reach for the cultivated strawflower, which resembles it in the colour of its flower heads but is commonly available as garden seed.

Diseases and pests

All three types of everlasting are undemanding plants with few problems, provided they have enough sun and well-drained soil. Waterlogging of the substrate leads in all of them to root rot; in dense and damp growth aphids occasionally appear, which it is enough to wash off with a jet of water or treat with a product according to the instructions on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the strawflower and the trailing everlasting?

The strawflower is an annual grown for coloured flower heads for drying; the trailing everlasting is a perennial with silvery leaves for window boxes, grown here only as an annual planting for one season.

How is everlasting grown from seed?

The strawflower is sown in April or May in a sunny spot in well-drained soil, and comes up within three weeks without special seed pre-treatment, even directly in the bed.

Does trailing everlasting survive winter outdoors?

No, it does not survive frosts here. It is grown as an annual for one season, or kept over winter in a cooler but frost-free room until the next spring.

May sandy everlasting be collected in the wild?

No, it is a strongly endangered species protected by law here; collecting in the wild is prohibited and carries penalties.

When should the strawflower be harvested for drying?

At the time when the flower head is just opening, not when fully in bloom; the colour and shape then last longest and best after drying.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Sandy everlasting – habitat and protection of the species
• Wikipedia: Helichrysum petiolare – cultivation and frost hardiness
• Wikipedia: Xerochrysum bracteatum – sowing and drying of flowers

Updated: 11 October 2026