Sunflowers (Helianthus) are iconic garden favorites known for their bold, cheerful blooms and fast growth. With tall giant types reaching impressive heights and compact dwarf varieties perfect for containers, sunflowers bring color and life to any garden. They are easy to grow, thrive in full sun, and attract bees, butterflies, and birds, making them both ornamental and beneficial.
Seed Information
-
Type: Flower Seeds
-
Common Name: Sunflower
-
Genus: Helianthus
-
Life Cycle: Annual
-
Features: Fast growing, pollinator friendly, edible seeds, tall and dwarf varieties, easy to grow
-
Season of Interest: Summer to early fall
-
Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
-
Sunlight: Full sun
-
Cultivating Difficulty: Easy
-
Watering: Moderate
-
Climate: Temperate, Humid Subtropical, Mediterranean, Semiarid
-
Growth Habit: Upright, 1–12 ft depending on variety
-
Soil Type: Well-draining, fertile soil
-
Soil pH: 6.0–7.5
-
Planting Time: Spring after frost
Grow Instructions
-
When to Plant: Sow directly outdoors after the last frost
-
Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost
-
Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
-
Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging
-
Spacing: 12–24 inches apart depending on variety
-
Germination: 7–10 days at 70–75°F (21–24°C)
-
Bloom Season: Mid-summer to early fall
-
Tips: Provide support for tall varieties; harvest seeds when flower heads dry and turn brown