If you love sunflowers, but don't have the space to devote to growing these brightly colored giants, I have some great news for you! Sunflower hybrids can give you the beautiful sunflowers that you want, and only grow about 2 or 3 feet tall!
They are also really easy to grow, either from seeds or from transplants, and come in a big variety of colors, if you aren't crazy about the original yellow. Here's how!
How to Grow Dwarf Sunflowers from Seeds
Dwarf Sunflowers are annuals in all zones except 1 and must to be replanted every spring.
Both seeds and transplants should not be planted outside in the ground unless it is well past the last freeze and the ground temperature is at least 50 degrees.
Both seeds and transplants should not be planted outside in the ground unless it is well past the last freeze and the ground temperature is at least 50 degrees.
Planting Dwarf Sunflowers with Seeds
Dwarf sunflower seeds are a bit smaller than traditional ones but they are germinated in much the same way. Plant them in an area that gets a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Sow them 1/2 an inch deep and water them immediately. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged until you see the sprouts coming up in the soil.
Planting Dwarf Sunflowers with Transplants
Transplants can be purchased from a nursery or you can grown them yourself. If you want to grown them yourself, it takes a few supplies. You will need soil-less potting mix like sphagnum peat moss with perlite or vermiculite and some peat pots which are pots formed out of peat moss.
Soak your soil-less potting mix with water and them pack the pots with the damp mix. Place two seeds an inch apart a half an inch deep and place on a sunny window. Keep the soil moist but do not over water. If both seeds come up, keep the strongest and pull the other. When you have two sets of healthy leaves, set the pots outside during the day, for a week or so to let them acclimate and if the temperature is at least 50 degrees both day and night, plant the whole pot in the ground outside, so the roots will not be disturbed. The pot will disintegrate with time and your sunflowers will grow and be beautiful!
You can also grow some dwarf sunflowers in containers. Smaller varieties should be chosen if you want to grow them in containers such as:
Autumn Beauty - a variety of colors in orange, yellow and rust.
Big Smile - traditional yellow petals with large brown centers
Pacino - longer yellow petals with smaller centers that are brown and yellow
Teddy Bear - fun fuzzy flowers
Big Smile - traditional yellow petals with large brown centers
Pacino - longer yellow petals with smaller centers that are brown and yellow
Teddy Bear - fun fuzzy flowers
Updated July 15, 2018
I found the most beautiful colored sunflowers! When I saw them I just knew I wanted to include them in this post. I love purple! Check out these beauties:
I found the most beautiful colored sunflowers! When I saw them I just knew I wanted to include them in this post. I love purple! Check out these beauties:
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Rare Purple Sunflower Seeds
They also come in Red and Light Pink!
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In choosing a container to plant in, read the label and make sure your pot is large enough to support the number of sunflowers that you plan to plant. The closer together you plant sunflowers, the smaller the flowers will be. Place the pot in full sun and make sure to water whenever the soil is dry. Generally potted plants need to be watered more often than flowers planted in the ground.
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If you want blooming sunflowers all summer and fall, then plant new seeds every two or threes weeks and you will have beautiful, colorful sunflowers all season. Have a great week! Jade :) |
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