How to Grow Sunflowers (From Someone Who’s Obsessed With Them!)
There’s just something magical about sunflowers, isn’t there? Every year, I grow them all over my garden—and I never get tired of watching those tall, cheerful blooms follow the sun across the sky. If you’ve never grown sunflowers before, you’re in for a real treat. Whether you want them for pollinators, cut flowers, seeds, or just for pure joy, sunflowers are one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers you can grow, keep reading to find out all my tips on how to grow Sunflowers.
Why Grow Sunflowers?
Besides their beauty, sunflowers bring a ton of benefits to your garden. They attract loads of pollinators—bees absolutely love them, and I’ve noticed butterflies and even hummingbirds hanging around them too. If you’re into companion planting, sunflowers act as a great natural trellis for vining plants like cucumbers and pole beans. They also help shade heat-sensitive crops during the peak of summer.
My Favorite Sunflower Varieties
There are so many types of sunflowers to choose from, and I love mixing different varieties for a diverse look. Here are some of my go-tos:
- Sunzilla: These giants get up to 12 feet tall and are a showstopper in the garden. They produce massive heads full of seeds and are perfect for the back of a border. These are just fun to enjoy, they also are really great varieties if you want to collect seeds for birds.
- ProCut Series: These are some of the best for cut flowers. They’re pollenless (so less mess in bouquets), single-stemmed, and come in all kinds of colors—from classic yellow to peach and even chocolate hues. I will be honest, I grow these at a minimum because I have a hard time cutting them knowing its a one time use for the plant.
- Teddy Bear: A super cute, fluffy variety that stays under 3 feet tall. Great for containers or kids’ gardens!
- Autumn Beauty: A branching type with a mix of rich, warm colors—perfect if you want a more natural, wildflower look and lots of blooms per plant.
- Italian White: These are so delicate and creamy—they’re branching, a bit shorter, and amazing in bouquets. These work fantastic in bouquets that are in the pastel tones.
Are Sunflowers “Cut and Come Again”?
Single-stem types like ProCut are not cut-and-come-again, meaning once you cut them, that’s it. But branching varieties like Autumn Beauty or Italian White will keep sending out blooms over several weeks, especially if you deadhead spent flowers regularly. Both options are really good if you are looking to sell your flowers for bouquets just keep in mind the pollen from varieties that aren’t ProCut.
Do You Need to Succession Plant Sunflowers?
If you want blooms all season long, I recommend succession planting every 2-3 weeks from mid-spring through early summer. This way, you’ll have a fresh wave of blooms for weeks, especially if you’re growing for bouquets. I usually plant 3 or 4 rounds starting in April and ending by late June. Sunflowers are also incredible at reseeding themselves so I find I don’t need to manually succession plant as often as other flowers.
Planting Sunflowers: Seeds vs. Transplants
Sunflowers grow best when direct-seeded. They don’t love being transplanted, although it can be done carefully since they are pretty resilient. I usually start a few early indoors if I want a head start, but for the most part, I wait until all danger of frost has passed and then sow them right into the garden. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 6-12 inches apart depending on the variety. If you have any volunteer seeds, wait until you see some sprouting then you can safely plant more seeds. Any volunteers that come up in unwanted places can be transplanted. I like to wait until they are anywhere from 4-8″ tall then dig up and move to where I would like them to grow.
Pro tip: Plant in blocks or clusters instead of single rows. It helps them support each other in wind and creates a gorgeous visual impact. Another fun trick I started doing this year was using little wood skewers as baby stakes. They are inexpensive and work fantastic!
How to Collect Sunflower Seeds
Collecting sunflower seeds is one of the most satisfying parts of growing them. Once the back of the flower head turns yellow-brown and the seeds look plump, cut the head and hang it upside down to dry. After a few weeks, you can rub the seeds out by hand or with a brush. Store them in a cool, dry place for planting or snacking next season.
Do Sunflowers Reseed Themselves?
Yes! If you leave a few heads on the plants, birds will snack on them and often drop seeds that grow into new plants the next season. I usually get surprise sunflowers popping up in all kinds of spots, and I let them grow unless they’re in the middle of a pathway. Just keep in mind that reseeded sunflowers may not look exactly like the parent plant if it was a hybrid.
Best Companion Plants for Sunflowers
Sunflowers are surprisingly good team players in the garden. Here are a few plants I’ve had great success growing near them:
- Cucumbers: They climb the stalks like a trellis!
- Squash: The broad leaves benefit from sunflower shade in hot climates.
- Lettuce or Spinach: These can be grown in the partial shade at the base during the warmer months.
- Basil & Dill: Great pollinator attractors that thrive nearby.
- Beans: Pole beans will twine around the stalks just like with corn in a Three Sisters-style setup.
My Final Thoughts
Sunflowers bring so much life and joy to a garden. They’re easy to grow, fun for kids, loved by pollinators, and stunning in vases. Whether you grow them for beauty, food, or pollinator support, there’s a sunflower variety that will fit your space and your gardening style.
I hope this inspired you to try growing sunflowers this season—or to expand your collection with a few new varieties. And if you do grow them, tag me in your sunflower photos—I love seeing other people’s gardens bloom!
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