How to Grow Sunflowers from Seed

Sunflowers are easy and rewarding to raise from seed, with impressive, long-lasting flowers, the sunflower is an ideal plant for growing with children as it is very easy to do. Sunflowers look equally magnificent in borders or as cut flowers. As well as looking pretty, they also create food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies, birds once they have finished, and then worms once they turn into organic matter.

First you will need to decide on which variety you would like to grow. We have a huge range including typical, tall yellow sunflowers such as 'Giant single', pollen free varieties, dwarf varieties which are great for pots and containers or the front of a border, multi-coloured varieties, and some unusual 'fluffy' sunflowers such as 'Teddy Bears'.

Sunflowers are hungry feeders. Improve the soil before planting out with plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost. Water your plants regularly, and stake them if they're in an exposed position and n need of support.

Discover how to grow sunflowers, below.

You will need:

• Sunflower seeds e.g. 'Russian Giant'
• A good seed sowing compost
• 7.5cm plastic pots
• Plant labels
• Pencil or waterproof pen
• Watering can with rose attachment
• Plastic bottles

 

Use a good compost to fill 7.5cm pots to 1cm below the rim. Tap each pot to settle the compost and firm gently.

Sow one seed per pot - sunflowers germinate reliably and form large seedlings. Poke the seed into the compost.

Cover the sunflower seed with about 1.5cm of compost. Label each pot and water well so that the compost is just moist throughout.

Cover each pot with a plastic bottle 'cloche' to keep seedlings warm. Plant your sunflowers outside in June when the last frosts are over. They should flower late summer.

Shop our range of sunflower seeds here!