🌻 How to Plant Sunflowers: A Simple Guide for Bright Results

Sunflowers aren’t just beautiful—they’re also surprisingly easy to grow, even if you don’t have a green thumb. Whether you’re planting them in a garden, a pot on your balcony, or along a fence, these cheerful blooms will reward you with height, color, and a bit of magic.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to planting sunflowers (and getting them to thrive).

🌞 1. Choose the Right Spot: They Love Sun (A Lot!)

Sunflowers need 6–8 hours of full sun per day—hence the name! Pick a location that’s bright and open.

Pro tip: They tend to face east, so plant where that morning sun hits.

🪴 2. Pick Your Variety

There are many types of sunflowers, from tiny table-top varieties to towering 3-meter giants.

Choose based on:

• Your available space

• Whether you want edible seeds or decorative flowers

• Height preference

Some favorites:

• Mammoth: Huge, tall, classic sunflower

• Teddy Bear: Fluffy and compact

• Autumn Beauty: Multiple colors on one plant

🌱 3. When and How to Plant

Best time: Late spring, after the last frost (soil temp should be at least 10°C / 50°F)

Steps:

1. Loosen soil about 30cm deep and mix in compost

2. Sow seeds 2.5cm deep and 15–45cm apart, depending on variety

3. Water lightly but consistently until they sprout (usually in 7–10 days)

💧 4. Care as They Grow

• Water regularly, especially in the first 6 weeks and during dry spells

• Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding

• Support tall varieties with stakes if wind is an issue

• Watch for pests like birds (they love seedlings) and aphids

Sunflowers are tough but do best with some gentle attention.

🌻 5. Enjoy and Harvest

• Flowers usually bloom in 70–100 days

• You can leave them for bees, cut them for vases, or harvest seeds

• To collect seeds, let the back of the flower head turn brown, then cut and hang upside down to dry