Growing Sunflower

helianthus annuus : Asteraceae / the daisy family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P P            

(Best months for growing Sunflower in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 18 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers, Melons, Sweetcorn, Squash
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

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29 Oct 17, Laura George (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Could you please let me know - How big are the flowers on Drawf Big Smile and Primrose Queen F.1. Hybrid, we need them, about the size of a hand, say approx 14cm x 12cm??? For a wedding on 5th February 2018. We were going to plant them around 4th - 11th November, is that too early??? I would really appreciate your help. Thank you Laura
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27 Dec 18, Scott (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
May depend a bit on the variety of sunflower. Giant Sunflowers grow to a height of 6 feet so they will shade out dwarf beans. Large sunflowers are also gross feeders so will suck up all the nutrients from the soil so ideally need their own space. Hope this helps. Happy Gardening
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02 Oct 17, Jan Brand (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What fertiliser is best for growing sunflowers? Do they also need more potasium? Please help!
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24 Sep 17, Jaylin Driver (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How long do sunflowers take to germinate?
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17 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet.
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24 Sep 17, Philip Rathbone (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi. Im getting Married in December and my Fiance wants bunches of Sunflowers for the day. I live in Germiston. Where can I buy Sunflowers
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13 Sep 17, Gary Barr (USA - Zone 12b climate)
I live in an area with typically 150 - 200 inches of rain (although not this year) and a temperature range of 55 - 85 - but mostly 60-75 degrees. Soil tends to be on the acidic side (volcanic soils) I'm interested in knowing if there are varieties of sunflowers that will grow in these conditions and also are good for honey production. Thanks
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31 Jul 17, Jen (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi am I interested in growing sunflowers. I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is currently winter but warming up very quickly with Spring coming in September, When is the best time to plant seeds>
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05 Jun 17, Rejoice (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi,my I stay in Limpopo province and would like to know what is the best months to cultivate sunflower. I'm passionate about planting sunflower please help
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09 Jun 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant sunflower seeds after all frosts are over, if you get them. Sunflowers are fairly tough but will respond to well worked soil with manure or compost added. They will also do better if they get water. Mulch will help save water.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 184 comments
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Sunflowers have multiple uses: edible oil, seeds to feed for livestock, snack seeds, flower production etc. You didn't mention your intended use. End use will impact cultivar selection. My best guess is you are trying for oil seeds -- since this is probably the most lucrative sunflower product. Most likely there are University studies for sunflowers in your area to help you with cultivar selection. Your looking for Sunflower seed trial results -- or something like that -- favoring agricultural publications and University papers over other sites. Many of these publications will not be applicable -- so it is a matter of wading through the various publications (from creditable and "neutral" sources) -- clearly much of the information will be "excessively detailed" -- but eventually, hopefully you will find a nice chart the compares the YIELDs for the various cultivars in your area, or an area similar to yours. My search engines always seem to throw me back to North America -- so I am unable to hunt down a good publication/article for you.

- Celeste Archer

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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