Black-Eyed Susan vs Chrysanthemum

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Asteraceae · flowers

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Chrysanthemum (Zones 5-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 5–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Chrysanthemum
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Chrysanthemum morifolium
Family	Asteraceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Yellow, Red, White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Chrysanthemum

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Chrysanthemum

✓Pinch stems until July 4th for bushier plants.
✓Provide winter mulch in cold zones.
✓Divide every 2-3 years.
✓Disbud for larger blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Chrysanthemum if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View ChrysanthemumProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Chrysanthemum grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Chrysanthemum needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Chrysanthemum?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' 6" and 2' respectively.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Chrysanthemum is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Chrysanthemum with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Chrysanthemum?

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Chrysanthemum has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Chrysanthemum
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Chrysanthemum morifolium
Family	Asteraceae	Asteraceae
Category	flowers	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	3'	3'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Yellow, Red, White, Purple
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Asia
Maintenance	Low	Medium

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

Chrysanthemum

✓Pinch stems until July 4th for bushier plants.
✓Provide winter mulch in cold zones.
✓Divide every 2-3 years.
✓Disbud for larger blooms.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

Choose Chrysanthemum if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 5–9. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Chrysanthemum grows in zones 5-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 5 through 9.

Do Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Chrysanthemum needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan or Chrysanthemum?

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum reach approximately 3' in height, with spreads of 1' 6" and 2' respectively.

Are Black-Eyed Susan and Chrysanthemum deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan is deer resistant, but Chrysanthemum is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan is the better choice, or protect Chrysanthemum with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan or Chrysanthemum?

Black-Eyed Susan has low maintenance while Chrysanthemum has medium maintenance. Black-Eyed Susan may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.