Giant Coneflower
Rudbeckia maxima
Last reviewed: June 2026
Rudbeckia maxima (Giant Coneflower) is a tall native wildflower found in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. This striking perennial blooms from March through August with large yellow daisy-like flowers.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Giant Coneflower as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
36"–72" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AR, LA, OK, SC and 1 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, nectar insects
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Giant Coneflower is a tall native perennial with large blue-green leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers on towering stems. It blooms for an extended period from spring through summer, creating a dramatic backdrop in garden beds. The plant goes dormant in winter, dying back to ground level.
Growing Giant Coneflower
Grow Giant Coneflower in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Giant Coneflower takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
This plant is excellent for supporting butterflies, bees, and other nectar-feeding insects with its long blooming period. The seed heads also provide food for birds in late summer and fall.
Common questions
- Where is Giant Coneflower native to?
- Rudbeckia maxima is native to the southeastern United States, specifically Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.
- When does Giant Coneflower bloom?
- Giant Coneflower blooms from March through August, providing nectar for pollinators throughout spring and summer.
- What pollinators visit Giant Coneflower?
- Giant Coneflower attracts butterflies, bees, and other nectar-feeding insects with its large flower heads.
- What growing conditions does Giant Coneflower prefer?
- This native wildflower thrives in full sun locations with consistently moist to wet soil conditions.
- Is Giant Coneflower toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Giant Coneflower as toxic to livestock.
- Is Giant Coneflower HOA-friendly?
- Giant Coneflower takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Giant Coneflower fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.