Mexican Hat

What Mexican Hat is

Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera) is a perennial flower of the Daisy family (Asteraceae). This compact wildflower loves sun and dry conditions and has numerous edible blooms.

It makes a show in summer and is easily recognised by its elongated brown centre and reflexed yellow petals.

Its drought resistance makes it a great choice for rock gardens, remote pots or south-facing flower beds that tend to dry out.

Ratibida (“Mexican hat”) has flower heads with a tall centre and swept-back petals.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 84%
• Seeds per packet: 204–276 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: USA
• Sowing: January – March; seedlings or direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Mexican Hat

Mexican Hat seeds are sown in January – March. The plants flower from June to September. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Mexican Hat

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.5 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Mexican hat prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. Make sure you choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. They thrive in well-draining soil. Make sure the soil is loose and not overly compacted. You can improve drainage by adding organic matter such as compost to the soil. The seeds have a hard outer coat, which can make germination difficult. You can scarify the seeds by gently nicking or rubbing them with sandpaper or a file. Plant directly in the garden in spring or early autumn. Sprinkle the seeds on the soil surface and press them in lightly. There is no need to bury them deeply. Place the seeds about 30-45 cm apart to give the plants room to grow. Keep the soil constantly moist until the seeds germinate and the seedlings establish. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and will not require as much water. If you want to propagate more of the plant in the future, you can collect seeds from mature plants once the flowers have faded and the seed heads have dried.

Tolerates drought.

Flowering and uses

Flowers in July–September.

Frequently asked questions

When should Mexican Hat be sown?

The recommended sowing months are January – March. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 204–276 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 84%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.