Sunflower
Sow direct where it's to grow, as sunflowers dislike root disturbance; single-stem black-seeded varieties are loaded with pollen and nectar for bees. Leave the spent seed heads standing through winter so birds can feed from them.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 40cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 2m
- Flowering season
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees, Birds
- Common diseases
- Powdery mildew
- Common pests
- Slugs and snails
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: January and September-December. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: January and October-December. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast and Christchurch / Canterbury: October-December. In Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: November-December.
Growing stages
Germination & planting
- Sow direct where it is to grow, as sunflowers dislike root disturbance from transplanting
- Protect emerging seedlings from slugs and snails, which can demolish them overnight
Establishment
- Water regularly while roots establish, even though mature plants cope with less
- Choose single-stem, black-seeded varieties if feeding bees and later birds is the priority
Vegetative growth
- Fast, tall growth to around 200cm; stake plants in exposed or windy sites
- Powdery mildew can appear on lower leaves later in the season
- Keep watering moderately as the thick stem and large leaves demand steady moisture
Flowering
- Single-stem, black-seeded varieties are loaded with pollen and nectar and draw in bees
- Avoid spraying insecticide on open flowers while bees are foraging
Seed set & end of season
- Leave spent seed heads standing through winter rather than cutting them down
- Birds feed on the ripening and dried seed heads over the colder months