Sunflower Growing Guide
Growing Sunflower is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Flower
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Growing Zones
Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Plant Family
Asteraceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Annual
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
7 Days After Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
60 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Sunflower?
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Your Sunflower Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Sunflower's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
2.5 cm
Seeding Depth
30 cm
Plant Spacing
60 cm
Row Spacing
1
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Stake.
Method: Stake.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 7–10 days
Growing Tips
- 1Sunflowers thrive in full sunlight, so plant them in a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sun each day.
- 2Water them deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
- 3Use well-draining soil enriched with compost, and space the seeds about 6 inches apart to give them room to grow.
- 4To manage pests, consider using natural deterrents like neem oil or introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~70
Days to Maturity
300 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
21 days
When to Pick
Cut seed heads when back of head turns brown
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest sunflowers when the back of the flower head turns yellow and the seeds are plump and firm.
- 2Cut the stem about 12 inches below the flower head using sharp pruners to avoid damaging the plant.
- 3Handle the flower heads gently to prevent seed loss.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your sunflower plant is easy and rewarding! Once the flower head turns brown and the back feels dry, simply cut it off and let it finish drying in a well-ventilated spot. Gently rub the seeds out with your fingers, and you’ll see how simple it is to collect your own seeds for next season. Store your seeds in a paper envelope or a glass jar in a cool, dry place—label them with the date and variety, and you’ll be ready to grow even more beautiful sunflowers next year. You’ve got this!
Seed Production
Feeling inspired?
Grow Sunflower from seed.
Grow a flower that ends up taller than you. Buy a pack and get started.
$2.25
CAD
In Stock
