How to Grow Sunflowers


There's nothing quite as cheery as a sunflower!
While the original species grows tall with one yellow-colored flower on top, newer varieties often feature different- colored flowers and multiple branching. They produce more flowers for a longer time throughout the growing season.
There are also dwarf varieties available for planting in containers and in flower gardens.
When & Where to Plant Sunflowers
Light: You can tell by the name that sunflowers grow and flower best in full sun!
Soil: Sunflowers grow best on fertile, well-drained soils high in organic matter. However, one of the reasons that they are such a popular choice in many gardens is their tolerance of a range of conditions, including sandy and clay soils.
Spacing: Plant sunflower seeds 6 inches apart in rows or clumps. Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart once 4 leaves have formed on the plant.
Planting: Plant sunflowers in spring after all danger of frost has passed, around the same time you'd plant tomatoes. Most sunflowers grow best when direct-seeded, instead of transplanted into the garden as seedlings. Direct-sowing allows plants to develop their taproot with ease, and will therefore lead to faster growth.
How to Grow Sunflowers Throughout the Season


Kids will be amazed as they notice that young sunflowers have the unique ability to follow the path of the sun in the sky from East to West. Once they get older and their flower heads become too heavy, they’ll usually just face East.
Staking: Most sunflowers do not need to be staked. However tall varieties that are exposed to frequent winds or are grown in shadier-than-ideal spots where their stalks may struggle to get thick and strong can benefit from being staked. If you choose to stake your sunflowers, here are some tips:
Use wood or metal stakes, placed close to the stalk, and attach the stalk to the stake with twine or ties. Choose soft ties, such as strips made form old T-shirts or wire coated with foam so as not to cut into the plant as it sways in the breeze. Growing sunflowers in rows or clumps is another way to help support stalks and prevent breakage.
Watering: If you're able to water your sunflowers, note that they prefer more water than other flowers when they are young to help them grow fast and strong. Keep young seedlings well-watered to prevent wilting and stunting. Add 2 gallons of water weekly - unless you are experiencing regular rainfall in spring and early summer. Once the taproot develops, sunflowers are able to withstand drier conditions.
Fertilizing: While sunflowers will grow just fine without any extra nourishment from the gardener, they will produce stronger, sturdier stalks and larger flowerheads when fertilized. If you choose to feed them, here's how:
Before planting, amend the soil with a 2- to 3-inch thick layer of compost. You can either add a diluted organic liquid fertilizer every few weeks when watering, or add a granular organic fertilizer once the true leaves form. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 5-10-10, to avoid a large leafy plant with few flowers.
Trimming & Pruning: The main reason to deadhead (trim) spent sunflower blooms is to collect the seeds. Annual sunflower varieties will produce either one large head or an abundance of smaller heads. Deadheading the multiple-headed sunflower varieties cleans up the look of the plant as well. Perennial sunflowers benefit from deadheading, as it inspires them to produce a second round of flowers later in the (late) summer. Sunflowers self-sow rampantly, so expect to have many seedlings growing in spring.
You can prune annual sunflower varieties to reduce the height and encourage more flowers. Once the main flower bud forms, pinch it off. This may delay flowering, but more side buds will form and you'll get a bushier plant.


Mulching: Mulching sunflowers is not necessary; however, those dealing with dry climates may choose to do so. Wait until your sunflowers are established and apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of straw or bark mulch, leaving a ring of bare soil around the stalk so that the mulch does not make contact with the plant. This will help preserve soil moisture and prevent weed growth. Once sunflowers are older, the large leaves will shade out any weeds trying to grow between the plants.
Talk about making a statement in the garden! Mammoth Grey Stripes huge blooms, growing to be 12 across, sit atop stems that grow to be 8-12 tall. Extremely fun to watch grow, Mammoth...
Learn MoreSunflower Seeds Mammoth Grey Stripe Sunflower Mammoth Grey Stripe Helianthus annuus Mammoth Grey StripeAs low as $9.95 Sale $7.96Per 1/4 PoundTalk about making a statement in the garden! Mammoth Grey Stripes huge blooms, growing to be 12 across, sit atop stems that grow to be 8-12 tall. Extremely fun to watch grow, Mammoth Grey Stripes' large size make them a great choice for scattering throughout the meadow, using as a background or privacy screen, and creating a childs first garden. Massive seed heads are good for harvesting and roasting or leaving in place to feed birds. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.The perfect choice for any Sunflower lover, this mixture contains five different varieties for a blaze of bright, sunny beauty in the summer garden or meadow. We’ve included fi...
Learn MoreSunflower Seed Mix Sunflower Helianthus annuusAs low as $12.76Per 1/4 PoundThe perfect choice for any Sunflower lover, this mixture contains five different varieties for a blaze of bright, sunny beauty in the summer garden or meadow. We’ve included five popular sunflowers: Black Oil, Lemon Queen, Dwarf Sunspot, Dwarf Sungold and Wild Sunflower. All are sturdy-stemmed and long-blooming, standing tall in the garden throughout the season and atttacting plentiful pollinators. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.A pollinator favorite, this classic, heirloom Sunflower will bring butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to and from the summer garden. With large, yellow petals and dark centers, Henry...
Learn MoreSunflower Seeds Henry Wilde Sunflower Henry Wilde Helianthus annuus Henry WildeAs low as $10.40Per 1/4 PoundA pollinator favorite, this classic, heirloom Sunflower will bring butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to and from the summer garden. With large, yellow petals and dark centers, Henry Wilde makes a stunning cut flower and looks gorgeous planted along fences or in the background of the garden. Growing to be about 5-6 tall, make sure to give this beauty plenty of room!This native sunflower is the grandfather species of them all and is a true staple of any wildflower garden. Bright, cheerful flowers are only 3-4” across and this variety grows...
Learn MoreWild Sunflower Seeds Wild Sunflower Helianthus annuusAs low as $17.95 Sale $17.05Per 1/4 PoundThis native sunflower is the grandfather species of them all and is a true staple of any wildflower garden. Bright, cheerful flowers are only 3-4” across and this variety grows to be 24-72” tall. Wild Sunflowers are extremely easy to grow and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden all season long. This native beauty is also the state flower of Kansas! All of the seed we handle at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers feature black-cherry petals surrounding a deep brown center. These striking blooms, measuring up to 5” across, glow red in the sunlight. Plant to ad...
Learn MoreSunflower Seeds Chocolate Cherry Chocolate Cherry Sunflower Helianthus annuus Chocolate CherryAs low as $12.95 Sale $12.30Per 1/4 PoundChocolate Cherry Sunflowers feature black-cherry petals surrounding a deep brown center. These striking blooms, measuring up to 5” across, glow red in the sunlight. Plant to add a rich, moody hue to your garden and cut flower arrangements in summer and fall. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Helianthus)Maximilian gives you the iconic color of Sunflowers but is a perennial, blooming year after year. This variety illuminates the garden with golden-yellow blooms all the way from summe...
Learn MoreMaximilian Sunflower Seeds Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximilianiAs low as $19.95Per 1/4 PoundMaximilian gives you the iconic color of Sunflowers but is a perennial, blooming year after year. This variety illuminates the garden with golden-yellow blooms all the way from summer into fall. Reaching heights of 3-8’, this Sunflower will quickly become the true backbone of your perennial wildflower meadow or garden. Like all Sunflowers, Maximilian is easy to grow and attracts pollinators all season long. All of the seed we handle at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Perennial.Add some star power to your garden or meadow with Bright Star Sunflowers. Pointed petals surround soft ochre-brown centers, for an attractive and elegant flower that looks beautiful ...
Learn MoreSunflower Seeds Bright Star Orange Sunflower Seeds Bright Star Orange Helianthus annuus Bright Star OrangeAs low as $19.95Per 1/4 PoundAdd some star power to your garden or meadow with Bright Star Sunflowers. Pointed petals surround soft ochre-brown centers, for an attractive and elegant flower that looks beautiful planted en masse or to complement a mix of other sunflowers. With their radiant petals, these blooms reach up to 11 inches wide, on tall sturdy plants up to 6 feet tall. Sunflowers attract bees and butterflies, and seeds will feed the birds. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Helianthus annuus)Autumn Beauty Sunflower steals the show in the late-season garden with a mixture of warm oranges, reds and yellows. This variety is easy to grow and flowers from late summer all the ...
Learn MoreSunflower Seeds Autumn Beauty Sunflower Autumn Beauty Helianthus annuus Autumn BeautyAs low as $12.30Per 1/4 PoundAutumn Beauty Sunflower steals the show in the late-season garden with a mixture of warm oranges, reds and yellows. This variety is easy to grow and flowers from late summer all the way into fall, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to its nectar-rich blooms. With sturdy stems and striking petal colors, Autumn Beauty is exceptional in bouquets and makes a great addition to the cutting garden. Can be grown in any zone. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.
Sunflowers: End of Season Care


Dividing & Transplanting: While you can start seedling sunflowers indoors in spring 4 weeks before the last frost date, they won't grow as fast and as strong as those direct sown in the garden. However, transplants are a good option for small-space gardeners, container gardeners and those planting dwarf sunflowers that don't have as aggressive a root system. Annual sunflower varieties aren't divided, but perennial sunflowers should be divided every 2 to 3 years to keep them vigorous. In spring, dig up the sunflower plant and divide the clump into 1 to 2 foot diameter sections with a good root system and stalks. Replant in a full-sun location on fertile, well-drained soil.
Pests and Disease: The biggest pest of sunflowers aren't usually diseases or insects, but animals. Rabbits, deer and wood chucks love to munch on young sunflower plants. To prevent damage, place 3 ft tall wire fencing with small holes around the sunflower row or clumps. For deer, plant sunflowers in a 7 ft fenced area or try using repellent sprays with active ingredients such as garlic, cayenne, rotten eggs and blood meal. Rotate the sprays periodically through the spring and early summer. For birds that love to dig up sunflower seeds and seedlings, protect the seeds and young plantings with a floating row cover.
Sunflower seedlings can also be attacked by cut worms. Cultivate around your sunflower patch with a garden hoe in spring to expose the cutworms to the weather and predators. For small plantings, place cardboard toilet paper roll 'collars' around individual seedlings to prevent damage. Alternatively, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the planting area to discourage cut worms. They don't like this sharp substance.
Seedlings can also be attacked by slugs and snails, especially during periods of wet weather. Use diatomaceous earth or sharp sand around the seedlings to protect them, or sprinkle an organic bait containing iron phosphate to kill the slugs. They are attracted to this bait, but while the iron phosphate is toxic to slugs and snails it is safe for wildlife, pets or kids.
Additional Concerns: Sunflowers are stalky plants. When cleaning up the garden in fall, don't try to compost the whole stalk. Instead, shred or chop them up them first. They will break down much faster in the compost pile.
To learn more about the plants we sell and how to grow them in your garden beds and patio containers, sign up for our inspiring emails.