How to grow Sunflower
Updated October 2026
Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed, native to North America and loved by bees, butterflies and birds. Sow them directly after the last frost in full sun, and most varieties flower in about 70 to 95 days. Grow giant single-headed types for seeds, or branching and pollenless types for weeks of cut flowers.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Sunflower
Where to plant
Grow sunflowers in full sun in well-drained soil that does not puddle after rain; a pH of about 6 to 6.8 suits them. Tall varieties need shelter from strong wind or a stake, and they cast a lot of shade, so plant them on the north side of the vegetable garden.
Sow after all danger of frost has passed, once the soil is at least about 50°F, and ideally 60°F.
- Florida: sow from late winter through spring and again in late summer; South Florida can sow from August through February.
- Gulf South and Texas: sow in March and April, and again in late summer in the Gulf South.
- Desert Southwest: sow in February and March, or September, avoiding flowering in the hottest months.
- California: sow from spring into midsummer.
- Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Plains: sow from April or May into early July; succession sowings every two weeks give flowers all summer.
- Northeast, Midwest, Northern Plains, Mountain West and the Pacific Northwest: sow in May or June once the soil has warmed.
- Hawaii: any month. Alaska: sow or plant out in June; choose quick, shorter varieties.
Choosing a variety
- Confection or giant types, such as Mammoth, have large, striped seeds for eating and huge single heads.
- Oilseed types, such as black oil sunflowers, have small black seeds favored by birds.
- Branching types, such as Autumn Beauty, give many smaller flowers over weeks, good for cutting.
- Pollenless single-stem cut-flower varieties do not drop pollen on tablecloths, but they offer less to bees.
- Dwarf varieties suit pots and small beds.
How to plant
- Work a balanced fertilizer and compost into the bed before sowing.
- Push seeds 1 to 2 inches deep, about 6 inches apart.
- Water lightly and often for the first 7 to 10 days until seedlings are up, and protect seedlings from birds and squirrels with netting if needed.
- Thin to 12 to 15 inches apart, or 18 to 24 inches for big branching types, with rows at least 2 to 3 feet apart.
- Stake giant varieties once they are a few feet tall.
Watering and feeding
After the seedling stage, water about twice a week in dry weather, deeply at the base. Sunflowers are fairly drought tolerant once established, but steady water from bud to bloom gives bigger heads.
A light side-dressing of nitrogen while plants are growing helps tall types. Too much gives weak, floppy stems.
Harvesting
For cut flowers, cut early in the morning when the petals are just starting to lift off the center. Strip the lower leaves and stand them in water straight away. On branching types, cutting encourages more flowers.
For seeds, watch for the back of the head turning from green to yellow-brown and the head drooping. Cover heads with paper bags or mesh to keep birds off as they ripen. Cut the heads with some stem and hang them in a warm, dry, airy place for several weeks, then rub the seeds out and finish drying them before storing in sealed jars.
Growing in pots
Dwarf sunflowers grow well in a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep. Keep them in full sun and water regularly, as pots dry out fast.
Using it
Roast confection seeds in their shells with salt, or shell them for salads and baking. Leave some heads standing in fall as food for finches and other birds.
Companion planting
Sunflowers are a magnet for bees and other beneficial insects, which helps nearby vegetables. Their height and spreading roots mean they need their own space.
Good companions
- Cucumber Can climb sturdy sunflower stalks and benefits from the pollinators sunflowers draw in.
- Sweet Corn Another tall summer crop for the back of the garden.
- Tomato Sunflowers bring in bees and predatory insects; plant them where they will not shade the tomatoes.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to sunflower.
- Potato Sunflower residues are reported to suppress some nearby plants, and the two compete for water and space.
Pests and diseases
Sunflowers attract huge numbers of beneficial insects and pollinators, so think twice before spraying. Birds, deer and squirrels are often the biggest problem.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Seeds pulled from ripening heads, and seedlings dug up after sowing.
- Aphids Clusters on stems and under leaves; usually cleaned up by ladybugs.
- Stink bugs Leaf-footed and stink bugs feeding on stems and developing heads.
- Caterpillars Chewed leaves, or caterpillars and webbing in the heads (sunflower moth larvae).
Diseases to watch for
- Downy mildew Stunted seedlings with pale, yellow-green leaves and white fuzz underneath in cool, wet weather.
- Botrytis gray mold Gray mold on the back of heads in wet weather near maturity.
- Powdery mildew White powder on the leaves late in summer, usually harmless.
Common questions
When should I plant sunflowers?
After the last frost, once the soil is at least about 50°F to 60°F. Sow every two weeks through early summer for flowers all season. Choose your region at the top of the page for the months.
How do I know when sunflower seeds are ready?
When the back of the head turns from green to yellow-brown and the head droops. Cover heads with paper bags or mesh to keep birds off, then cut and hang them to dry for several weeks before rubbing out the seeds.
Do sunflowers need full sun?
Yes. They need full sun to grow tall and strong and flower well.
Should I start sunflowers indoors?
Usually not. They grow fast and are easiest sown directly where they will grow. If birds or squirrels dig up the seed, cover the bed with netting until seedlings are up.
What are pollenless sunflowers?
Varieties bred for cut flowers that do not shed pollen, so they do not drop yellow dust indoors. They are less useful to bees than pollen-bearing types.
Do sunflowers come back every year?
Common garden sunflowers are annuals. They often self-sow from dropped seed, especially if birds scatter it.
Sources we checked: UGA Cooperative Extension: Growing sunflowers in the home garden (C1121); Old Farmer's Almanac: Sunflowers.
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