How to Grow Sunflowers From Seeds

In love with vibrant and cheery sunflowers but intimidated to grow them in your own garden? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about growing these iconic summer favorites from seed.

See more: 12 Flower Varieties to Plant This Spring

Sunflowers 101:

Scientific Name: Helianthus annuus

Zones: 2-11

Sun: Full sun (6-8 hours per day)

Soil Temperature: 70°F to 75°F

Start Indoors: 3-4 weeks before final frost

See more: How to Start a Vegetable Garden From Seeds

Sunflower Varieties

Although the common sunflower is probably the first that comes to mind, there are more than 70 varieties to choose from. A few of our favorites include Autumn Beauty, Chocolate Cherry, Italian White, Mongolian Giant, Teddy Bear and Red Courtesan.

Your local garden supply store should have several sunflower seed packets available, but you can also order seeds online from companies like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Territorial Seeds or Seed Savers Exchange. The important thing to keep in mind when choosing your sunflower seeds is size. These beautiful blooms range from dwarf plants like the Honey Bear to giants like the American Giant.

See more: 7 Ways to Attract Pollinators to Your Garden

How to Grow Sunflowers Step By Step

You can direct sow sunflowers into your garden, but starting from seed is simple and straightforward. Gather the following materials before you begin:

• Planting tray
• Seed starting soil
• Sunflower seeds
• Plant labels (if growing multiple varieties)
• Grow light (optional)

Step 1: Sow seeds in planting tray

Planting trays with individual seed cells work best. Sow two seeds per seed cell at a depth of 1 inch and cover with soil. Use your finger to gently press down on the soil to make sure the seeds have contact with the soil.

Step 2: Mist the soil

Use a water bottle to mist the soil until it is damp but not soaked.

Step 3: Cover with plastic wrap or vented dome

Some seed starting trays include a vented dome. Cover the tray with the dome if it was included. Otherwise carefully wrap the tray in plastic wrap.

Step 4: Set trays in sunny windows or under grow lights

Grow lights are an upfront investment that pay off in the long run, but placing the trays in a south facing window works too.

Step 5: Remove cover when seeds germinate

Many sunflowers will germinate and begin to sprout within two weeks. Remove the cover when you see the majority of the seeds pushing through the soil.

Step 6: Keep the soil moist

Continue to mist the seed trays as the seeds grow. Try to avoid watering from above where the leaves could get wet and develop disease.

Step 7: Thin the seedlings

Once the seedlings produce their second set of leaves, thin them out to one seedling per cell.

Step 8: Harden off seedlings

Moving indoor seedlings to the garden without an adjustment period is a recipe for disaster. Slowly acclimate them to the wind, sun and variable weather by taking them outside for a few hours at a time until they’ve adjusted.

Step 9: Transplant into the garden

Once all danger of frost has passed and you’ve successfully hardened off the seedlings, transplant them into your garden.

Tips for Planting Sunflowers

1. Choose a Sunny Spot

Sunflowers, as you might guess by their name, need a lot of sunshine. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun every day.

2. Choose Well-Draining, Loose Soil

Sunflowers have deep roots that can burrow several feet into the ground, and they prefer loose, well-draining, alkaline soil. For home gardeners who are really into soil science, it may help to know that sunflowers prefer soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

3. Use Nutrient-Rich Compost

Similar to tomatoes, sunflowers are considered heavy feeders. They need a lot of nutrient-dense soil to grow tall and produce those spectacular blooms we all know and love. Enrich your soil with aged, high-quality compost to give them the best chance to thrive.