About This Plant
Bright, unusual, and wonderfully easygoing, Red Midget Mexican Hat Plant brings a touch of prairie charm to the summer garden. Distinctive red, drooping petals surround tall, cone-shaped centers, creating the whimsical silhouette that gives this native wildflower its name.
Blooming for weeks in summer, Red Midget is a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Its compact size makes it especially useful in perennial borders, cottage gardens, wildflower plantings, and containers. Once established, it is drought tolerant and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
Planting & Care
How to Plant
Choose a spot with 6+ hours of direct sun. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and plant at the same depth it was growing, gently loosening the roots. Water deeply after planting and add 2–3 in of mulch, keeping it off the stems. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
Watering & Feeding
Water deeply 1–2 times a week for the first season, about 1 in per week. Keep soil evenly moist, especially during heat and dry spells. Top-dress with compost in spring; most perennials don't need much fertilizer.
Pruning & Seasonal Care
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Cut back after a hard frost, or leave stems standing for winter interest and tidy up in spring. Divide every 3–4 years if the center thins. Mulch in late fall to protect roots through the first winter.