Big, golden-yellow blooms are the undisputed stars of the summer garden. While Mother Nature usually decides when the season ends based on the temperature, getting an early start is actually right in your hands!
Bloom Time: From June to October
Sunflowers don’t just pop up overnight—it takes a few weeks of growth to produce those massive, iconic flower heads. Usually, by sometime in June, those bright yellow petals finally unfurl, and the sunflower takes center stage. You can enjoy that beauty all the way until late September or early October, which is typically when it’s time to harvest the seeds.
If you’re growing perennial sunflowers, you’ll get smaller blooms but a whole lot more of them. These varieties bloom in stages, meaning a perennial sunflower can keep pushing out fresh flowers right up until the first frost. Once the freezing weather hits, the top of the plant will die back, but the roots stay safe underground to return next year. Essentially, the longer the autumn sun stays out, the longer your sunflowers will keep the party going!
Pro Tip:
The seeds from perennial varieties aren’t edible, so there’s no need to let the flower heads fully mature. Deadhead (cut off) any wilted flowers right away. This encourages the plant to put its energy into new buds, stretching your bloom season as long as possible.
How to Get Earlier Blooms
Since annual sunflowers are sensitive to frost, you can’t sow seeds directly in the garden until late April. However, if you want a head start, you can start your seeds indoors as early as March. By the time the weather warms up, you’ll have sturdy little plants ready to go. Alternatively, you can just head to the garden center in mid-May and buy established starts to get those flowers blooming even sooner.
Other Factors That Affect Flowering
Timing isn’t just about when you plant; it’s also about the location. Sunflowers need their namesake—at least 5 hours of direct sunlight every single day! Weather plays a big role, too; if the spring stays chilly and overcast, the blooms will take their sweet time. Beyond that, your daily garden routine makes a huge difference:
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Water them daily (they’re thirsty!).
- Give them a boost with fertilizer once a week.
Pro Tip:
Freshly opened sunflowers make incredible cut flowers for your kitchen table. And if you want to keep that summer feeling during the colder months, you can always dry them for long-lasting decor!
