Gaillardia requires full sun and well-drained soil in order to prosper. Given too much shade, the plants tend to flop over. Though they will perform best in moist soils, they are highly drought tolerant. Do not enrich the soil with compost or other rich ingrediants when planting this perennial. It does best in poor, loose soils and does not tolerate heavy clay. Plants may be divided every 2-3 years in either spring or fall.

Deadheading spent blooms will prolong the bloom time. They get their name from the manner in which they used to blanket North American praries with their blooms. They can still be found in fields and along roadsides in the prarie region and into the Rockies.