Grow Some Sunshine! How to Plant Sunflower Seeds in a Variety of Colors

Say "sunflower", and you automatically visualize school bus yellow petals surrounding a black center. However, sunflowers come in an amazing variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. From bright lemon yellow to dark chocolate cherry, learning how to grow sunflowers is the perfect way to bring vibrant color to your summer and fall garden. 

We’ll explain the ins and outs of planting sunflower seeds and show you all the varieties you can enjoy.

Sunflowers are at the top of our list of easy flowers to grow from seed. We love that we can plant sunflower seeds directly in the garden all summer long. They are perfect for growing in a cutting garden, along a fence, wall, or just about any place where they can soak up the sun.

The scientific name Helianthus annuus comes from the Greek words “helios” for sun and “anthos” for flower. It’s not just that the flower reminds you of the sun with its shining rays, but the sunflower is heliotropic. This means that the flower head follows the movement of the sun.

When sunflowers are young, and their flower heads are still developing, they will turn their faces east in the morning and follow the sun across the sky until it disappears on the western horizon. As the heads grow and get heavier with seeds, they won’t move as much until eventually they stay pointed east. When the heads droop down, it is a sign that the seeds are maturing.

The easiest and most successful way to grow sunflowers is by sowing the seeds directly into the ground outdoors. 

Because birds and other critters love eating sunflower seeds, direct sowing comes with a few natural hazards. Use these tips to avoid seed loss.

• Plant 1 inch deep. Sunflower seeds don’t need light to germinate, and this depth will keep them away from birds.
• Use protective netting. Place a light netting or floating row cover over the soil until the seedlings sprout to keep birds and other animals from eating them.
• Over-seed and thin: Plant 2 to 3 seeds per spot in case one gets eaten. Once they have sprouted, thin out seedlings to keep only the strongest plant.

• Select a sunny location.

• Prepare the soil with organic matter for nutrient-rich soil. 

• Plant seeds 1” deep after all danger of frost has passed. 

• Soil temperature must be at least 50º F. 65º to 75º is ideal.

• Keep soil moist but not soggy. 

• Sunflower seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days.

• Mature sunflower plants prefer drier conditions.

Sunflower seeds can also be planted indoors to get an earlier start on the season and to protect seeds and seedlings.

Sunflowers have a long taproot that can quickly reach the bottom of the pot and then become stunted. Once the sunflower seeds sprout, they will need to be planted outside in 2 to 3 weeks. To help avoid transplant shock, you can use biodegradable pots. 

To ensure your sunflowers reach their full height and blooming potential, keep these maintenance tips in mind:

• Sunlight Requirements: Sunflowers love the summer sunshine. They need a location with 6 to 8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily.
• Deep watering: Sunflowers have long taproots, so water deeply and not too often. Let the soil dry out between watering, which will encourage the taproot's deep growth.
• Soil & Fertilizer: Fertilizer is unnecessary when the soil is nutrient-rich and drains well. A pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is optimal.
• Succession Planting: You can succession plant by planting new seeds every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Sunflower Spacing: Spacing sunflowers is vital for achieving their full size potential. If you want large flower heads, space sunflowers further apart. 12” for small varieties, 24” for regular size, and 36” for giant sunflowers.

Another consideration for spacing is whether it is a branching variety or not. Some sunflowers only have one flower per plant, whereas others have one main flower head and multiple side flowers. Those with side flowers will need more room to grow. The spacing guidelines on the seed packets will give you the right recommendation.

When growing sunflowers for cut flower arrangements, you will want to plant them close together. This will result in smaller stalks that work better for arranging bouquets.

Keep weeds out, so they aren’t competing with your flowers for water and nutrients.

Tall sunflowers are striking but also at risk of being blown over by the wind. Using stakes, trellises, and planting along fences can help keep sunflowers upright when the wind blows.

From the fluffy teddy bear variety to the huge mammoth full of seeds, there’s a perfect variety of sunflower for every garden.

Sunflower colors can range from light lemon to dark chocolate.

Want sunflower seeds to eat? Plant the Mammoth sunflower. Mammoth sunflowers can grow up to 12 feet tall. Make sure you’re ready for the height! With 14” blooms, they can also get heavy. 

Are you interested in feeding the birds? Peredovik sunflowers are a favorite with birds and other animals. They have a softer shell, a strong taste, and a high amount of healthy sunflower oil.