How to Save Rudbeckia Indian Summer Seeds

With its extra-large, golden yellow flowers, Rudbeckia "Indian Summer" is a drought resistant plant that blooms from midsummer to mid-autumn. The contrasting, purplish black centers, or cones, become plump with seeds after the blooms wilt in at the end of the blooming season, making Rudbeckia "Indian Summer" an ideal plant for even novice seed collectors and young gardeners. Also known as black-eyed Susan or gloriosia daisy, Rudbeckia "Indian Summer" is suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11.


Locate one or two of the healthiest blooms when the plants are in full bloom, as healthy plants produce healthy seeds. Tie a piece of colorful yarn around the stems to remind you not to deadhead or prune that stem.


Harvest Rudbeckia seedpods when the petals drop from the bloom and the seedpod is turning from deep brown to pale brown or grey. Don't wait until the seedpods are completely dry because Rudbeckia is known as a pod burster -- a plant that explodes suddenly and scatters seeds on the ground.


Hold the bloom over a paper sack. Snip the stem and allow the whole seed head to drop into the sack.


Spread the contents of the sack on a tray. Pick through the contents and remove stems and other plant debris. Remove seeds that remain in the seed head by rubbing the seed head in your hands.


Pour the seeds into a container such as a small glass jar or a paper envelope. Avoid plastic, which may collect moisture and cause the seeds to mold.


Label the container, noting the type of plant and the date of harvest.


Place the seeds in a dark, cool, dry location. If properly stored, Rudbeckia "Indian Summer" seeds remain viable for two to three years.