Growing sunflowers in pots is possible if you choose a smaller variety, like “Short Stuff” or “Teddy Bear.” Be sure the pot is deep enough to accommodate their tap root.
If you’re growing one of the giant varieties that top 10 feet in height, plant them in a sheltered location or along a fence so they’re protected from the wind. Otherwise, a gust of wind could tip them over.
Grow from Seeds:
Growing sunflower plants is easiest if you grow them directly from seed. There are more varieties of sunflowers available to you if you grow them from seed.
Plant the seeds no more than an inch deep and about 6 inches apart. Once they reach 6 inches tall, thin out the seedlings by spacing the strongest plants about 12 inches apart.
For continued blooms, sow a new row of seeds every two to three weeks, starting in early spring. Succession planting, as it’s called, will give you continuous blooms until the first frost.
From the time you put the seed in the soil, it blooms for between 80 and 120 days, depending on the variety.
Best Time to Plant Sunflowers:
Sow seeds after the threat of spring frost have passed and the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees F. This will happen between March and May.
What is the Ideal Soil for Sunflowers Flowers?
They have long tap roots that need to go several feet into the ground, so sunflower plants prefer loose, well-drained, somewhat alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Sunflowers are heavy feeders, so they’ll be healthiest and generate the most blooms in nutrient-rich soil that has had compost or other organic matter mixed into it.
How many suns Do Sunflowers Need?
Sunflowers are sun worshippers that grow best in spots that get six to eight hours of direct sun per day.
How Much Water Does This Plant Need?
When the plant is young, water the area around the roots about 4 inches away from the plants.
Once the plant is established, water deeply, watering once per week per plant, more often if the weather is very dry or very hot.
Caring Tips for Sunflowers Flower Plant:
Fungal diseases like downy mildew, rust, and powdery mildew can infect plants. Spray infected leaves with a general garden fungicide.
Tall varieties may need support so they don’t topple under the weight of their blooms. Bamboo or other types of wood stakes work well.