How to Grow Mentzelia Plants

Guide to Growing Blazing Stars, Moonflowers and Stickleafs

Members of the Mentzelia plant genus are hardy annuals and hardy biennials that reach from 45 cm to 1.2 m in height.

Mentzelia have a bushy nature and carry golden cup shaped flowers that bloom in the early summer.

A common name for Mentzelia is Blazing Star.

Mentzelia involucrata - Sand Blazing Star by MiguelVieira; creative commons.

Mentzelia pectinata - San Joaquin blazing star by Steveberardi; cc.

Mentzelia Plant Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Blazing Stars, Stickleafs, Moonflowers, Evening Stars, Yellowcomet. Blazing Star: Shining; Spinyhair; San Luis; Sand; White Bract; Grass; Whitestem.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual. Hardy biennial. Hardy perennial.
Height: 2 to 40 inches (5 to 100 cm).
Native: Americas.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: Yellow, cream, orange. Cup-shaped.
Foliage: Basel rosette. Lobed. Irregularly toothed.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Warm areas: start of spring or in autumn. Cooler areas: following the last frost. Spacing 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 cm). Germination time: one to three weeks. Temperature 55°F (13°C).
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.5 to 8. Rich soil. Moist soil. Can survive in dry soils. Regular feed. Regular watering. Cut back after first bloom for a chance of a second.

How to Grow Blazing Star and other Mentzelia plants in the Garden

It is best to grow blazing star (Mentzelia) outdoors from seeds, or by planting blazing star plants purchased from a garden center. Sow the seeds out after the last frost of spring (in very warm areas, seeds can be sown in the autumn. Cover the blazing star seeds once sown. Mentzelia plants like to grow in a sunny area that has good drainage. Blazing star has a preference for a fertile soil that is moist and has a pH of 5 to 8.

Caring for Blazing star in the Garden

Blazing Star is an easy plant to grow and maintain in the garden. For best results water regularly to keep soil moist and feed often. Once the Mentzelia plant has bloomed cut back the plant to about 50 cm, this may result in another bloom.