Every garden needs some sunflowers. They’re really great for pollinators, and they’re just so cheery! I always encourage gardeners to look beyond the basic yellow. There are so many different shades you can get—rich burgundy, soft peach, even pale white!
Sunflowers grow well in Zone 3, so any variety is a good variety. If you’re not necessarily growing them for cut flowers, it’s always fun to try a mammoth variety. They’re perfect for planting near a fence or along a path—especially if you want those classic “kids-standing-next-to-a-giant-sunflower” photos!
Once you’ve picked your favourite varieties, it’s time to think about how and when to plant them. Whether you’re growing them for fun, for cutting, or for seeds, here’s what you need to know to grow sunflowers successfully.
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Starting Sunflowers from Seed
I personally start all of my sunflowers indoors because I’ve had problems with mice, birds, and even my own chickens digging up the seeds right out of the garden beds. If you’ve ever had sunflowers mysteriously not show up after planting, this might be why!
I usually start mine about four weeks before the last frost. If you’re able, I highly recommend seed-starting indoors to get a head start—and to avoid disappointment.
Apparently, sunflowers have a slight frost tolerance. I haven’t tested this on young seedlings yet, but I’ve noticed that if there’s a light frost at the end of the season and the buds haven’t opened yet, they seem to be just fine.
Where and How to Plant
Sunflowers love full sun, so be sure to plant them in the brightest spot you can give them.
They can also be grown in pots—just be sure to choose as large a container as possible if you want good height. I recommend at least a two-foot pot for best results.
When planting out, I space the varieties I want larger blooms from about 12 inches apart and the ones I want smaller blooms from about 6 inches apart.
To enjoy sunflowers well into the fall, I like to plant in successions. This way, I have cheerful blooms right up until Canadian Thanksgiving!
Favourite Sunflower Varieties
There are so many types of sunflowers to choose from: mammoth, single-stem, branching, the ProCut or Sunrich series (great for florists and pollen-free), and dwarf varieties that stay compact and tidy.
These are the tried-and-true favourites I always grow in my garden:
If I were just growing for fun, I’d go for dwarf, branching types. I find they give the most blooms and the longest show. If you’re planning to grow sunflowers for edible seeds, make sure to check your variety—some are ornamental and not meant for human consumption.
Related: Hello Yellow! The Best Yellow Flowers to Add a Pop of Colour to Your Garden
Pests to Watch Out For
The biggest issue I’ve run into with sunflowers is grasshoppers. They seem to love them! If you’re growing lighter-coloured varieties, thrips can also be a problem, especially during hot, dry spells. Keep an eye out and treat as needed to keep your blooms looking their best.
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