Sunflowers can easily be grown in pots or buckets on the balcony. However, they don't get as big as they do in the wild. Since it is often very drafty on the balcony, you should use small varieties to be on the safe side. How to care for sunflowers on the balcony.
How do I grow sunflowers on the balcony?
To grow sunflowers on the balcony, choose small-growing varieties such as “Double Dandy”, “Teddy Bear” or “Yellow Knirps”. Plant them in large and deep pots, provide a sunny, warm and wind-protected location, water regularly and fertilize weekly with liquid flower fertilizer.
Choose short-growing varieties
Tall sunflower varieties do not reach their full height on the balcony. The pots are usually too small for this, so the roots cannot spread properly.
It is therefore better to sow small varieties straight away, such as “Double Dandy”, “Teddy Bear” or “Yellow Knirps”. These sunflower varieties require less space.
The bigger the pot, the bigger the sunflower
To plant sunflowers on the balcony, the planters should be as large and, above all, deep as possible.
Balcony boxes are not suitable for planting sunflowers because they are simply too low.
The planters need drainage holes so that rain and irrigation water can drain away. Even if the sunflower likes it moist - you won't get waterlogged.
A good location on the balcony
- Very sunny
- Warm
- Little draft
The sunnier the location on the balcony, the better the sunflowers will thrive. Make sure that the pots are not directly in the draft.
Once the flowers have grown and formed large, heavy flower heads, a stronger gust of wind can break the stems.
If you cannot offer a sheltered spot, tie the sunflowers to support posts.
Properly care for sunflowers on the balcony
Sunflowers need a lot of water in the pot. Water at least every morning on rain-free days. In very dry, hot summers you often have to give water again in the afternoon.
Sunflowers on the balcony need a lot of nutrients. Fertilize the plants at least once a week, preferably twice a week, with liquid flower fertilizer.
The seeds of sunflowers that you grow on the balcony should not be eaten or fed to birds or pets. They are often burdened with hormones.
Tips & Tricks
The sunflower blooms always align with the path of the sun. During the day the flower head rotates from east to west. In French, sunflowers are therefore also called “tournesol”=“turning towards the sun”.
