Indian Blanket Seeds – Red & Yellow Annual Gaillardia

Bold Red-and-Yellow Flowers for Sunny Gardens

Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) produces showy flowers with concentric bands of red and yellow. The blooms reach approximately 2–3 inches across, bringing warm color to sunny borders, wildflower gardens, and containers.

Grow a patch beside a walkway or fill a roomy patio pot with these bright annuals. Remove fading blooms to keep the display tidy, or leave a few seed heads to encourage self-sowing where conditions allow.

Plant Highlights

• Botanical name: Gaillardia pulchella.
• Common name: Indian Blanket.
• Life cycle: Grown as an annual; not the perennial blanket-flower hybrids.
• Flower colors: Red and yellow.
• Flower size: Approximately 2–3 inches across.
• Mature height: Approximately 12–24 inches.
• Spread: Approximately 12–24 inches.
• Bloom season: Late spring through summer and into fall where conditions allow; timing varies with climate and sowing date.
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Lean and well drained; listed pH range 6.2–7.2.

Direct Sowing

Sow directly into a prepared, weed-free garden bed when conditions are suitable for germination. Broadcast thinly and rake lightly into the surface, or place seeds individually and cover with approximately 1/8 inch of fine soil.

Seeds require light for germination, so avoid a heavy covering. Keep the sowing area moist without making it waterlogged. The listed germination conditions are approximately 70–75°F, with emergence in 14–42 days; actual timing varies.

Thin seedlings to approximately 12 inches apart. For larger plantings, the existing guidance lists 4 oz per 1,000 square feet or 12 lb per acre.

Garden Care

Choose a site with plenty of sun and good drainage. Plants tolerate some drought once established, but the existing guidance notes better flowering with consistent moisture. Adjust watering to rainfall and soil conditions rather than using a fixed schedule.

Remove spent flowers regularly to maintain appearance and encourage continued blooming. Leave selected seed heads to mature if self-sowing is wanted. New seedlings depend on favorable conditions and are not guaranteed to appear the following spring.

Growing in Containers and Window Boxes

Use a roomy container or window box with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix. Allow room for plants that can reach 12–24 inches tall and wide rather than crowding the display.

Position in full sun, check moisture regularly, and water when needed, allowing excess water to drain. Pots can dry more quickly than garden beds. Remove fading flowers to keep the container colorful and tidy.

Available Seed Packs

Choose 500 seeds, 2,000 seeds, 1 oz, or 4 oz. The 1 oz option is labeled at approximately 14,000 seeds. Counts in weight-based packs can vary.