Learn how to grow Chocolate Lace Flower (Berlandiera lyrata) in your garden. This easy guide covers planting, care, and why this unique, chocolate-scented bloom is a must-have.
I first discovered Chocolate Lace Flower at a local botanical garden. The scent was unforgettable; a sweet, chocolatey aroma floating on the morning air. I knew immediately I had to grow it in my own garden. After several seasons, I can confirm it’s one of the most rewarding and low-fuss plants you can add.
Chocolate Lace Flower, known botanically as Berlandiera lyrata, is a perennial wildflower prized for its unique chocolate scent and charming, daisy-like yellow flowers with maroon centers. It’s surprisingly drought-tolerant and a magnet for pollinators.
Why Grow Chocolate Lace Flower?
You should grow this plant for three main reasons. First, the delightful chocolate fragrance is strongest in the early morning. Second, it is incredibly tough and thrives on neglect once established, perfect for busy gardeners. Third, bees and butterflies love it, making it an excellent choice for a pollinator garden.
How to Plant Chocolate Lace Flower
Getting your plants started is straightforward. You have two main options.
Starting from Seed
This is the most common and cost-effective method. I always start from seed.
- Timing: Sow seeds directly in your garden in the fall or early spring. Fall planting allows natural cold stratification, which improves germination.
- Location: Choose a spot with full sun. The plant needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil: Well-draining soil is critical. It tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soil but will not survive in soggy conditions.
- Method: Scatter seeds on the soil surface and press them in gently. They need light to germinate, so do not bury them deeply. Keep the area lightly moist until seedlings appear.
Transplanting Seedlings
If you purchase young plants, you can transplant them after the last frost.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.
- Place the plant in the hole, ensuring it sits at the same depth it was in its container.
- Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.
Caring for Your Plants
Chocolate Lace Flower is remarkably easy to care for once it settles in.
- Watering: Water young plants regularly to help them establish a deep root system. Once mature, the plant is very drought-tolerant. You only need to water it during extended periods of dry weather.
- Fertilizing: Avoid fertilizer. Too many nutrients can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers. This plant thrives in lean soil.
- Deadheading: You do not need to deadhead for the plant to bloom continuously. However, removing spent flowers can keep the plant looking tidy. The seed heads are attractive to birds, so you may leave some in place at the season’s end.
- Pests and Diseases: I have found this plant to be largely trouble-free. Good air circulation and well-draining soil prevent most potential issues like powdery mildew or root rot.
Harvesting and Using the Blooms
The best time to enjoy the scent is in the early morning. You can pinch off the spent flower heads, which often release the strongest chocolate aroma. The flowers also make lovely, long-lasting additions to small bouquets.
The University of Texas at Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provides excellent native range and ecological information for this plant.
Final Tips for Success
For the best results, remember these three things. Give it full sun. Plant it in well-draining soil. Do not overwater it. This plant thrives on simplicity.
If you enjoy growing unique flowers like this, you might also be interested in our guides on container gardening for growing in small spaces or flower gardening for more general tips.
