Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
An ornamental plant, sown March to May.
In September: cut the sunflower heads. Wear gloves to cut it: the hairs on its leaves and stems irritate skin.
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Sunflower, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
| Sow another batch of sunflowers. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Tie in the sunflower. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual |
| Cut the sunflower heads. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear gloves to cut it: the hairs on its leaves and stems irritate skin.
Weaker source: Homes & Gardens.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in March, 1.5cm deep. Moderate sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Sow outdoors April to May, 1.2cm deep, 45cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant out May to June, 45cm apart. Moderate sources: RHS and Sarah Raven.
Sow another batch of sunflowers
Gardeners call this successional sowing.
Sow every couple of weeks for a constant supply of flowers.
Usually April to May. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Tie in the sunflower
Tie each plant to a sturdy tree stake as it grows; a whippy bamboo is too weak.
Usually June to August. Moderate source: Sarah Raven.
Cut the sunflower heads
Usually September to November. Moderate source: Sarah Raven.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Sunflower” comes from.