Common Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
The image shows the broad, rough, alternate leaves and stout, hairy stems characteristic of the young common sunflower plant.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings; drought tolerant once established
- Growth
- Herbaceous annual with a fast growth rate, typically reaching mature heights of 3 to 10 feet and spreads of 1 to 3 feet depending on the cultivar
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure for at least six to eight hours daily. Water deeply when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and plant in well-draining soil with a neutral pH.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings; drought tolerant once established
Soil
Well-draining loam, sandy, or clay soils with a preferred pH between 6.0 and 7.5
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 2 through 11 as an annual garden plant
Growth habit
Herbaceous annual with a fast growth rate, typically reaching mature heights of 3 to 10 feet and spreads of 1 to 3 feet depending on the cultivar
Bloom season
Summer to early autumn, producing large composite flower heads with bright yellow ray florets surrounding dark center discs
Propagation
Propagated easily from seeds sown directly into the soil after the last spring frost
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to powdery mildew, rust, and fungal leaf spots in humid conditions, as well as damage from aphids and caterpillars
Similar species
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), which features similar rough foliage but produces underground tubers and has a more branching growth habit