Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by Real Men Sow
The sunflower, one of America’s most beloved flowers, is a favorite. While most sunflower varieties are yellow, there are also rusty, green, and white forms. Even if you don’t have a large field to plant these favorites, don’t worry. This guide gives the best advice for growing sunflowers in pots.
Sunflowers can be grown from seeds and are great for growing with children. They are beautiful in gardens and allotments and bear long-lasting, impressive flowers. They are a great cut flower.
Growing Sunflowers
Sunlight is essential for growing sunflowers. You should protect your young plants from pests like slugs, and make sure to water them regularly. If they are in an exposed area, you may need to stake them.
Do Sunflowers Grow Well In Pots?
You need to choose carefully which variety you want. Some sunflowers grow up to 50cm while others reach 3m. Plant seeds in pots starting in April, and then plant when the risk of frost is over. Make sure to prepare the soil and add lots of organic matter to your planting hole. To encourage taller sunflowers, keep them well-watered and give them a good feed every week. Some taller varieties may require stakes.
Best Place To Grow Sunflowers
Sunflowers need sun. Sunflowers thrive in moist soil, but they can also be grown in containers. If you want your sunflowers to grow taller, plant them in the ground.
Time to Growing Sunflowers in Pots
In 10 cm pots of multi-purpose, peat-free compost, sow sunflower seeds in April through May. From early June, plant in the garden after all frost risk has passed. Annual sunflowers flower from summer to autumn. It can take between 11-18 weeks for them to bloom depending on their variety. It’s best to sow sunflower seeds every few weeks so that you have plenty of happy sunflowers all summer.
What Is The Best Month to Plant Sunflowers?
The best month to plant sunflowers is definitely April. Sow one sunflower seed per 7.5 individual pots of multi-purpose, peat-free compost. Place the seed 1.5cm deep in the compost then water it in. Place the pots in a cool, bright area by covering them with a clear plastic bag.
Once the sunflowers have germinated keep them well-watered till they are ready for planting at the end of May. Add plenty of organic matter to the soil and remove weeds. The sunflowers should be planted at the same height as the pot. Make sure to water the plants well.
Taking Care of Sunflowers
Annual sunflowers require plenty of water. Just before they flower, feed them tomato feed. Avoid letting plants dry out, as taller varieties may need to be rehabilitated.
A garden cane may be necessary for taller varieties, especially if they are growing in an exposed area.
The faded flower heads should be left intact after flowering so that the birds can enjoy the seeds. After they finish eating, take the whole plant out and place it on the compost pile.
Propagating Sunflowers
After flowering, sunflower heads produce a lot of sunflower seed. These can be harvested for cooking but you must remove the tough seed coating before you eat. You can also dry the seeds for a few days and then store them in a paper bag in a dry place. Next year, you can sow the seeds. You should also leave seeds for birds.
