How to Grow Sunflowers

There are several Yates Sunflower varieties to choose from, including ‘Yellow Empress’, which grows up to 1.5 m tall. It has bright yellow flowers with a dark centre, and blooms can reach up to 35 cm across. This variety does not produce any pollen.

Yates Sunflower ‘Bronze Shades’ is another tall sunflower, growing up to 1.5 m. It flowers profusely with blooms in striking shades of bronze and terracotta. ‘Yellow Empress’ and ‘Bronze Shades’ take 12 weeks to start flowering. 

Tall sunflowers can become quite top heavy, particularly once the large flower heads are full of seeds, so it’s best to grow them in a wind protected location. Staking can help keep them from toppling over.    

Yates Sunflower ‘Dwarf Sensation’ is a compact sunflower, only growing to 40 cm tall. It is ideal for smaller gardens and growing in pots. It also makes a bright and cheerful garden border plant. ‘Dwarf Sensation’ flowers in 8–10 weeks, and does not produce any pollen.  

Sunflowers are easy to grow from seed, sown directly where the plants are to grow. In tropical and sub-tropical areas in Australia, sow seed during spring, summer and autumn. In temperate areas, sow seed from late winter to early summer. And in cool areas, sow seed from spring to early summer.  

Grow Sunflowers in a spot in your garden that receives full sun (at least six hours of sunshine a day) and has good drainage. For tall-growing varieties, choose a position that is protected from strong winds.  

Prior to sowing seed, improve and enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. 

Sow seed 10-12 mm deep into the soil. For tall varieties space the seeds 50–60 cm apart. For smaller varieties allow 30 cm. Firm down and water gently.  

Keep the soil moist. Seedlings will emerge 7 – 14 days after sowing. Protect the seedlings from snails and slugs with a light scattering of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

Keep the soil moist by watering at the base of the plants, rather than over the leaves. This helps to reduce leaf diseases. Once the seedlings are established, start feeding every 1–2 weeks with a flower-promoting fertiliser like Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.  

As tall sunflowers grow, they can become quite top heavy and may bend or snap, especially if there are strong winds and rain. To support tall varieties, drive a sturdy bamboo or wooden stake into the soil next to the plant and secure with garden twine.

Sunflowers are easy to grow from seed, sown directly into the pot. In tropical and sub-tropical areas in Australia, sow seed during spring, summer and autumn. In temperate areas, sow seed from late winter to early summer. And in cool areas, sow seed from spring to early summer. 

Compact sunflowers like Yates Sunflower ‘Dwarf Sensation’ are best for growing in pots. Choose a well-drained pot that’s at least 30 cm in diameter. Place the container in a position that receives at least six hours of sunshine a day. 

Fill the pot with a quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. 

Sow seed 10 mm deep into the potting mix. Space seeds evenly around the pot. A 30 cm diameter pot is large enough to grow three dwarf sunflowers. Firm down and water gently.  

Keep the potting mix moist. Seedlings will emerge 7–10 days after sowing. Protect the seedlings from snails and slugs with a light scattering of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.  

Keep the potting mix moist by watering at the base of the plants, rather than over the leaves. This helps to reduce leaf diseases. And once the seedlings are established, start feeding every 1–2 weeks with a flower-promoting fertiliser like Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Yes, however you’ll need to grow certain varieties to ensure seeds are set.

Yates Sunflower ‘Yellow Empress’ and Yates Sunflower ‘Dwarf Sensation’ do not produce pollen, and therefore won’t set seed if grown by themselves. If they are grown near a pollen-producing variety, such as Yates Sunflower ‘Bronze Shades’, then pollination can occur and seeds will develop in the flowers. Bees and other beneficial pollinators are also needed to move the pollen around between flowers.  

Seeds saved from cross-pollinated Sunflowers may not grow the same type of flowers. So what you get will be a lovely surprise!  

As the flower heads mature, they will form seeds in the centre of the flower. To save the seed, allow the flower head to dry out on the plant. You may need to cover the heads with paper bags or netting as birds will find this free feed very attractive.  

Once the flowers begin to yellow and die, cut the heads off and store them upside down in a dry spot. When ready, the seeds should be fairly loose in the head. Remove the seeds by tapping on the back of the head and allowing them to collect in a bucket or tray below. Store seed in an air-tight container, in a cool dry spot, out of direct sunlight. 

Sunflowers make spectacular cut flowers. In the cool of the early morning, look for flowers that are just starting to open. Using sharp secateurs, cut stems and place them into a bucket of cool water. Before arranging in a vase, re-cut the base of the stems at a 45° angle and remove any leaves that will be sitting below the water.  

Sunflowers are annual flowers, meaning they grow, flower and die within one year. Sunflowers should be re-sown or replanted each year.  

Young Sunflower blooms will follow the sun during the day, from east to west. Once the flowers mature, their position becomes fixed towards the east. This is why a field of Sunflowers will have all their flowers pointing in the same direction. 

Tall varieties of Sunflowers like ‘Yellow Empress’ and ‘Bronze Shades’ have a branching habit, so will develop more than one flower. Removing spent flowers regularly can help prolong flowering.  

Sunflowers are happy and colourful flowers that are great for kids to grow. In small spaces and pots, dwarf varieties like Yates Sunflower ‘Dwarf Sensation’ are ideal. They can grow their very own mini field of Sunflowers.

Tall varieties of Sunflowers can be grown in a wide circle (with a small entry way) to create a secluded space for kids to hide and play. Or how about having a friendly family competition – who can grow the tallest Sunflower?

Sunflower seedlings can be rapidly devoured by snails and slugs. Protect seedlings from snails and slugs with a light scattering of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

Sunflowers can be prone to sap-sucking pests like whitefly, thrips, mites and aphids. They’re often hiding in new growth, under the foliage or around the flower head. Early symptoms can include leaves yellowing or distorting. 

As soon as pests are noticed, spray plants with Yates Rose Gun. Ensure both sides of foliage are sprayed, as many pests can be underneath the leaves.

Orange powdery spots on leaves is a disease called Rust. Rust can spread to cover much of the leaves, adversely affecting plant health. 

Leaves with powdery white spots or powdery growth across the leaves are suffering from a disease called Powdery Mildew. Powdery Mildew can be particularly common during damp or humid conditions and plant health suffers. 

At the first sign of Rust or Powdery Mildew, spray plants thoroughly with Yates Rose Gun