If you’re looking for a cheerful, easy-to-grow flower that does more than just brighten your garden, consider planting sunflowers this spring. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are North American natives, and mid-May is the perfect time to sow seeds directly into your garden soil.
These fast-growing annuals thrive in full sun and tolerate a wide range of soil conditions—including low fertility. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors, sunflowers are an easy choice addition to any garden.
Garden Favorite and Cut Flower King
Thanks to their vibrant appeal and adaptability, sunflowers remain one of the most popular cut flowers. Gardeners today can choose from a wide variety of cultivars, including branching and non-branching types, pollen and pollen-less blooms, and plants ranging from 18 inches to 14 feet tall. Colors now span beyond the familiar golden yellow to include white, red, plum, lemon, and even multi-colored varieties.
Sunflowers grow best in full sun and should be planted after the last frost. Direct seeding is easy due to the large seed size. Water seedlings regularly until established; once growing, sunflowers are fairly drought-tolerant. These tough plants thrive in low-nutrient soils and typically require little to no fertilizer—too much can even reduce flowering. Pests and diseases are minimal, though proper spacing and crop rotation help prevent issues.
For cut flowers, harvest when petals just begin to open. Strip lower leaves and place stems in clean water—no floral preservative needed—for long-lasting arrangements.
More Than Just a Pretty Face
Pollinator-Friendly: Sunflower pollen supports bee health and may help reduce parasites.
Sun-Chasing: Young plants follow the sun across the sky to maximize growth.
Soil Helpers: Sunflowers can absorb heavy metals, helping restore damaged soil.
Sunflowers bring beauty, benefit pollinators, and are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed—making them a perfect pick for gardeners of all ages. Plant in mid-May and enjoy vibrant blooms, buzzing bees, and backyard beauty all summer long.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.