How to Grow a Sunflower in a Pot

Co-authored by Artemisia Nursery and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Sunflowers are native American plants with many uses. Their oil is used for biodiesel and cooking oil, and their seeds can make tasty snacks. A sunflower also makes a bright and happy addition to any sunny window or balcony. Growing a sunflower in a pot is an easy project that even small children can enjoy.^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Your Sunflower and Container

1
Buy sunflower seeds for growing. You can buy sunflower seeds from your local nursery or garden center or order them online. If you want rarer varieties, you may have better luck online.^{[2]
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- Sunflower seeds are also sold in grocery and convenience stores, but these are for eating, not for growing. After being roasted, a sunflower seed won't sprout.
- If you already have a fully grown sunflower plant, put the seeds from the flower in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. Try to plant the seeds as soon as possible. Older seeds may be harder to grow.
- Pick a dwarf variety of sunflowers for best results, since larger varieties grow best in the ground.^{[3]
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  Artemisia Nursery
  Plant Nursery & Garden Shop
  Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.}
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Choose your sunflower variety. A packet of sunflower seeds (or a listing on a website) will clearly state the name of the variety, sunflower type, and how tall the sunflower will grow. If you're shopping at a local nursery or garden center, you can also ask an associate for help.^{[4]
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- Single-stem sunflowers only grow one flower from one seed. If you want to keep sunflowers all summer, you'll have to replant every 10 to 14 days. However, single-stem varieties are pollen-less so that they won't drop pollen on your porch, furniture, or clothes.
- Branching sunflowers produce many flowers over the course of the season without having to be replanted. Branching sunflowers also have some of the more unusual colors, including burgundy and chocolate.
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3
Find the right size container. Choose the size of your container based on the height of the flower you want to plant, as well as how many flowers you want in each container. Generally, most dwarf sunflowers can be planted in a 12 to 16 in (30 to 41 cm) pot.^{[5]
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- Mammoth sunflowers need a container that holds at least 5 gallons (19 L).
- If you're repurposing a previously used container for something else, make sure it's clean and sterile. You may also have to make drainage holes in a repurposed container. Without them, your seeds may rot.
- Include a plate or saucer under the container to catch run-off water.
4
Add potting soil and compost. Choose high-quality, nutrient-rich topsoil or potting soil to plant your sunflowers. Mixing in compost provides a source of food for your sunflowers as well.^{[6]
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- Quality topsoil will have a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5 and have more than 3 percent organic content. These figures will be listed on the bag.^{[7]
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- As long as you use high-quality topsoil, you don't need to add any drainage material, such as sand or rocks, to the bottom of the container. Doing so actually hinders water movement and can prevent your pot from draining properly.^{[8]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Planting Your Sunflower

1
Push each seed about 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the soil. If you're planting more than one seed in your container, sow the seeds 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) apart. You may want to add a thin layer of compost to the top of the soil after your seeds are sown.^{[9]
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- Make sure you have a radius of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) around all sides of each seed. Don't show them too close to the edges of the container.
2
Water the seeds daily. Sunflowers need more water than most plants as they are growing. Make sure the soil remains moist and well-drained. Give your sunflowers at least 2 gallons (7.6 L) of water a week while the seeds are germinating.^{[10]
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- Sunflowers that don't get enough water during these early stages will have thin, weak stems that cannot hold the heavy flower head upright.
- Your soil is well-drained if water flows through it relatively quickly. Puddling or standing water in your pot indicates a drainage problem.^{[11]
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3
Watch as the seeds germinate. Within a week to 10 days, your sunflower seeds should start growing into small seedlings. During this time, continue to water the seeds every day and make sure the soil is moist, particularly around the seeds.^{[12]
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- If your sunflowers are outside, you may want to cover the seedlings with baskets or netting to protect them from birds.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Sunflower

1
Add fertilizer if desired. While sunflowers don't necessarily need additional feeding to grow, fertilizer can make the colors on your flower heads brighter and bolder. Start with a high-nitrogen liquid plant fertilizer, then switch to one with more phosphorus when the bud begins to bloom.^{[13]
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- You can also add diluted fertilizer to your sunflower's water. Take care not to over-fertilize your sunflower – the stem may break.^{[14]
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2
Keep your sunflower in direct sunlight. As the seedlings grow, they need as much direct sunlight as possible so the stems will be thick and strong and able to support the large flower head. Once grown, your sunflower should have 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.^{[15]
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- The heliotropic heads of sunflowers follow the path of the sun. If not in direct sunlight, they will bend towards the sun, damaging the stem over time.
3
Water your sunflower several times a week. Expect to water your sunflowers more often than you do other plants. Check the soil every day or two – it should be constantly moist. Generally, give your sunflowers about 2 gallons (7.6 L) of water a week.^{[16]
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- If your sunflowers are outside, they should be fine with rainwater after they reach 1 to 2 feet (0.30 to 0.61 m) in height.^{[17]
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- As the flower grows, water the root zone in a 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) radius around the plant itself.^{[18]
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- Keep a spray bottle handy and spritz the flower head with water regularly.
4
Stake your sunflower if necessary. Some dwarf varieties may not grow tall enough to need support. However, if your sunflowers reach a height of 3 feet (0.91 m) or taller, they should be anchored to something to keep the flower head from drooping.^{[19]
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- Don't anchor your support within the pot itself. When your sunflower reaches full size, it may tip the pot over. Tie the stake to a drainpipe, wall, or another object.
5
Harvest the seeds. If you have a sunflower variety with edible seeds, let the flower die on the stem. The seeds will ripen and dry as well. If your sunflowers are outside, cover them with netting or a paper bag to keep the birds from eating all your seeds.^{[20]
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- Generally, sunflower seeds that are black or gray with white stripes are edible.
- When the back of the flower head turns brown, the seeds are typically ready to harvest.^{[21]
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- Once dried, you can keep the seeds in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 4 months. You can also freeze them if you need them for longer.
- Sunflower buds can be eaten as well. Blanch them first to remove bitterness, then steam or boil them for 3 minutes. They are delicious tossed in garlic butter.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you grow tall sunflowers in a pot?

Maggie Moran
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Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

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Yes, if outdoor plotting is not available, sunflowers can be grown in pots. After beginning the flower in a smaller peat moss pot, they need to be transferred to larger pots that are at least 18 inches deep. Place the pots in full sun and water consistently.
Question

How often should you water a potted sunflower?

Maggie Moran
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Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

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In order to adequately water a sunflower, you should feel the soil and when the first inch appears dry, it is time to water. In hot climates, sunflowers may need to be watered several times a day.
Question

Can you plant sunflowers in the shade?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

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Sunflowers can withstand periods of shade, however, for optimal growth sunflowers need long periods of direct sun.

Warnings

Sunflowers don't like to be transplanted, so start with a container large enough for the fully grown flower.^{[24]
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Not all sunflower seeds can be eaten. If you plan to harvest the seeds for snacks, make sure you've purchased an edible variety.^{[25]
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