This easy-to-grow annual will bring pollinators to your garden with its nonstop flowers.
The flowers are most often found in warm shades of bright orange and yellow.
These plants need a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
Peter Krumhardt.
Sow them directly on top of average garden soil because these seeds require sunlight to germinate.
In as little as seven to 10 days, you should see signs of germination.
When the weather warms, they can be transferred out to the garden.
Credit: Robert Cardillo
This also helps keep the plants compact and prevents flopping.
In partial sun, plan on staking the plants to keep them upright.
It can survive temperatures as low as 30F for a brief period but will incur some damage.
Credit: Eric Roth
Mexican sunflowers like dry weather and don’t do well in areas with high humidity.
Fertilizer
After they are established, Mexican sunflowers don’t require fertilization.
Pruning
When growing Mexican sunflower plants, plan ondeadheading the flowersto encourage late-summer blooms.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
In tropical climates, deadheading helps prevent potentially vigorous reseeding.
These are annual plants, so repotting isn’t needed.
Just replant seed each year.
Pests and Problems
Mexican sunflower is deer-resistant and is relatively unaffected by pests.
You might see gardenslugsif your garden receives a lot of rain.
If the sunflowers are crowded and the humidity is high, watch forpowdery mildew.
The petals will fall off, leaving only the seed head.
Each flower is about 3 inches across.
It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Its scarlet-orange petals surrounding orange centers are a well-known attraction for migrating monarch butterflies.
It stands 6 feet tall and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
‘Fiesta Del Sol’ Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia’Fiesta Del Sol' was the first dwarf Mexican sunflower.
It handles humidity better than many other cultivars and grows to only 2-3 feet.
Its single orange daisies are 3 inches across and are excellent cut flowers.
Plus, the plant is basically pest free.
Mexican Sunflower Companion Plants
Canna
Cannasbring tropical splendorto gardens in all regions.
These bold plants feature clustered, flag-like blooms in a brilliant color array on tall stems.
Dwarf cannas are also available for container gardening and other small spaces.
Cannas provide architectural interest in summer borders, and they also flourish along the damp margins of a pond.
Castor Bean
Planta castor beanand then stand back.
This is one of the fastest-growing giant annuals in the garden, rivaled only perhaps by giant sunflower.
Be careful, though.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are so versatile.
Nasturtiums are available in either spreading or climbing types.
Plant spreading types in large containers to spill over the sides.
Plant them alongside wide paths to soften the sides for a romantic look.
Use nasturtium to brighten a rock garden or between paving stones.
Train climbing types up trellises or alongside fences.
The leaves and flowers are edible; use them as a showy plate garnish or to jazz up salads.
However, both of these annual plants enjoy the same growing conditions.
Mexican sunflowers begin blooming in midsummer and bloom continuously until the plant is killed by the first frost.
North Carolina State University Extension Gardner Toolbox.
