Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Sunflowers are pure garden joy — towering giants that track the sun, attract birds and pollinators, and make everyone smile. From 3-foot 'Teddy Bear' to 12-foot 'Mammoth', there's a sunflower for every space. Multi-branching varieties like 'ProCut' produce dozens of cut flowers. Direct sow seeds and watch them rocket up.

Hardiness Zones

2-11 (annual)

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Maintenance

Low

Mature Size

3-12 ft H × 1-2 ft W

Growth Rate

Fast

Bloom Season

Summer - Fall

Bloom Color

Yellow, Gold, Orange, Red, Bi-color

Care Guide

Direct sow after last frost, 1 inch deep, 6-12 inches apart. Full sun required. Water weekly. Stake tall varieties in windy areas. No deadheading needed for single-stem types; deadhead branching types for more blooms. Leave seed heads in fall for birds. Succession plant every 2 weeks for continuous bloom.

Landscape Uses

Cut flower gardensBordersChildren's gardensBird gardensScreensMass plantings

Best Growing Regions

midwestsoutheastnortheastsouthwestmountainwest

Great Companion Plants

ZinniaZinnia elegans

Cosmos

MarigoldTagetes spp.

Coneflower

Black-eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta

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