Sunflower Planting Guide

June

sunflower this June — what to know

Month-by-month sunflower fundamentals. Your frost dates change the timing, so pick your county for a tailored plan.

Sun full sun

Water low

Days to harvest 70–100

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 18″

How to water sunflower
Water deeply but infrequently. sunflower prefers to dry out between waterings — soggy soil causes more problems than thirst.
Where to put sunflower
South-facing beds are ideal for sunflower. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant sunflower. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Show me sunflower timing for my zone →

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a fast-growing North American native annual famous for its towering stems and brilliant yellow heads. It thrives in full sun and heat, producing large, pollen-rich blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds. Varieties range from 18-inch dwarfs to 12-foot giants and nearly every color except blue.

Helianthus annuus · Flower · Asteraceae family · 70–100 days to maturity

Annual Blooms in Summer Pollinator-friendly Good for cutting

Why it matters: If you're just starting a flower garden in your area, Sunflower is a forgiving first pick. It tolerates imperfect soil, mild drought, and the occasional missed watering. The reward: weeks (sometimes months) of continuous color.

Get Your Personalized Sunflower Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Sunflower?

Zone Compatibility for Sunflower Zones 2a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Bloom
Zone 2a	May 9	Jun 13	Jun 13	Sep 5 – Oct 17
Zone 2b	May 1	Jun 5	Jun 5	Aug 28 – Oct 16
Zone 3a	Apr 24	May 29	May 29	Aug 21 – Oct 9
Zone 3b	Apr 19	May 24	May 24	Aug 16 – Oct 11
Zone 4a	Apr 15	May 20	May 20	Aug 12 – Oct 7
Zone 4b	Apr 10	May 8	May 8	Jul 31 – Oct 2
Zone 5a	Apr 4	May 2	May 2	Jul 25 – Oct 3
Zone 5b	Mar 28	Apr 25	Apr 25	Jul 18 – Oct 3
Zone 6a	Mar 20	Apr 17	Apr 17	Jul 10 – Oct 2
Zone 6b	Mar 13	Apr 3	Apr 3	Jun 26 – Sep 25
Zone 7a	Mar 4	Mar 25	Mar 25	Jun 17 – Sep 23
Zone 7b	Feb 25	Mar 18	Mar 18	Jun 10 – Sep 30
Zone 8a	Feb 15	Mar 1	Mar 1	May 24 – Sep 27
Zone 8b	Feb 4	Feb 11	Feb 11	May 6 – Sep 23
Zone 9a	Jan 20	Jan 20	Jan 20	Apr 14 – Sep 15
Zone 9b	Jan 4	Dec 28	Dec 28	Mar 22 – Sep 6
Zone 10a	Dec 11	Nov 20	Nov 20	Feb 12 – Aug 13
Zone 10b	Dec 11	Nov 13	Nov 13	Feb 5 – Aug 20
Zone 11a	Dec 11	Nov 6	Nov 6	Jan 29 – Aug 27
Zone 11b	Dec 11	Oct 30	Oct 30	Jan 22 – Sep 3

How to Plant Sunflower

Planting Depth

18"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 2a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

70–100 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Asteraceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Asteraceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Sunflower

Sunflower matures in just 70–100 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Sunflower

✅ Good Companions

Cucumbers Squash Corn Tomatoes Peppers

❌ Keep Away From

Potatoes Pole_beans

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Sunflower

Direct-sow 1 inch deep after last frost; germination takes 7-14 days at 65-75°F soil. Sunflowers dislike root disturbance so direct sowing is strongly preferred over transplanting. Plant in succession every 2 weeks for extended bloom. Stake tall varieties. Avoid overwatering — they tolerate drought once established. Birds will self-deadhead seed heads; leave them up through fall for wildlife.

Saving Sunflower Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Sunflower by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Sunflower?

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) takes 70 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Sunflower grow in?

Sunflower can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Sunflower need?

Growing Sunflower requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.