How to Plant, Grow & Care for Sunflowers

Sunflowers Make a Beautiful Addition to Any Garden

By Gina LiVorio Posted on 8/19/2019

Sunflowers are a favorite amongst gardening enthusiasts, known for their towering beauty and striking golden color. These All-American flowers will grow in many different types of soil, which makes them ideal for growing successfully! The most important decision to make when planting sunflower seeds is their location, since they need full sun to grow and thrive.

Not only will sunflowers add beauty to your garden, they’re also a good way to attract pollinators. Pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to fragrant smells and bright colors, which sunflowers do not lack.

When to Plant Sunflowers

We suggest to plant sunflower seeds in the spring after the threat of the last frost has subsided. Plant your seeds around April or May if located in northern regions of the United States, and just before that if you live in the south. The most important tip here is to plant the seeds when the soil heats up. Ideal soil conditions for sunflowers are about 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, so waiting for the soil to warm up a bit will increase your chances at a flourishing sunflower garden.

Where to Plant Sunflowers

Sunflower seeds should be planted with plenty of room in between, in order to leave room for their sprawling roots to grow. Plant about 1 inch deep into the soil and 6 inches apart. The soil should be in a well-drained location, with access to direct sunlight. When planning your overall garden layout, take into consideration that large sunflower petals can sometimes block sunlight from other flowers in your garden. As they mature, sunflowers will lean towards the east to soak up the sun.

Caring for Sunflowers

Once your sunflowers are planted during the right time of year and in the ideal location for success, it’s time to take care of your beautiful flowers. Although sunflowers are drought-tolerant, watering them with an inch of water about once a week is the key to their success. Weed control is another important factor in caring for sunflowers, so don’t skip the mulch unless you plan on pulling the weeds out yourself rather frequently.

 

With proper growing conditions, sunflowers can go from tiny seeds to tall and lively flowers in a matter of months! Create a sunflower garden that’s vibrant in color and ready to be picked for beautiful bouquets. Browse our thousands of verified flower seed vendors to find any of the above flowers and more, quicker than ever before.