Why Grow Sunflowers?
There’s something undeniably joyful about sunflowers. Their bold yellow petals and towering stems add instant cheer to any garden—but they’re not just a pretty face. Sunflowers are brilliant for pollinators, produce seeds that birds love, and are perfect for getting kids involved in gardening too.
Plus, they’re one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed—making them ideal for beginner gardeners.
🌱 How to Grow Sunflowers
Growing sunflowers is simple with a bit of planning. Here’s how:
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Choose your variety:
From classic tall varieties like Giant Single to shorter types like Teddy Bear, there’s a sunflower for every garden size. -
Sow seeds from April to June:
You can start sunflower seeds off indoors in April, or sow them directly outdoors once the risk of frost has passed—usually from mid-May. -
Plant seeds 1.5cm deep:
Space them about 10cm apart if growing in rows. Once the seedlings are big enough to handle, thin them out to allow 45cm–60cm between plants. -
Support tall varieties:
As they grow, tall sunflowers will need staking to prevent them toppling in strong winds.
🌍 Where to Grow Sunflowers
Sunflowers love the sun (no surprise there!), so pick a bright, sheltered spot in the garden that gets 6–8 hours of sunlight a day.
They prefer well-drained soil and don’t like soggy roots, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider mixing in compost or growing them in large pots.
Top tip: Grow sunflowers along fences or at the back of borders for an eye-catching display that’s also protected from the wind.
💦 How Often to Water Sunflowers
Sunflowers are relatively drought-tolerant once established, but they do need regular watering while they’re getting started:
- When young: Water deeply every 2–3 days, especially if it’s warm and dry.
- Once established, Water once a week, giving them a good soak so the moisture reaches their long tap roots.
- In pots: Water more frequently, especially in summer—check the soil daily.
Avoid watering from above, as this can cause the stems to rot. Water at the base instead.
🌼 The Benefits of Sunflowers in Your Garden
- 🐝 Pollinator-friendly: Bees and butterflies love their pollen-rich centres.
- 🐦 Wildlife support: When left to go to seed, sunflower heads provide food for birds in late summer and autumn.
- 🌿 Easy to grow: Perfect for beginners and children—sunflowers are one of the most rewarding flowers to plant.
- 🎨 Beautiful cut flowers: Bring the sunshine indoors with freshly cut sunflower stems.
- 👩🌾 Educational and fun: Great for getting kids into gardening, measuring growth, and learning about pollinators.
Alexa's Top Sunflower Tip
When your sunflowers die off, cut their dried heads off and hang them in the garden for the birds - they love them.
🌻 Ready to Grow Yours?
We’ve got everything you need in-store to get started—seeds, compost, pots, and friendly advice. Visit us in Exmouth or Sidmouth and let’s get planting!