The sunflower is the symbol of midsummer in our latitudes. The plant, which often grows enormously, is not only grown because of its beautiful flowers. It is grown industrially as an oil plant and soil improver.
What is a sunflower profile?
The sunflower (Helianthus) is a widespread plant with around 70 species, which is mainly used for oil production, animal feed, soil improvement and as an ornamental plant. It prefers sunny locations, nutritious soil, can grow to a height of 20 cm to 500 cm and flowers from June/July to October/November.
Sunflower profile
- Botanical name: Helianthus
- Order: Asters
- Subspecies: annuus, atrorubens, decapetalus, giganteus and others
- Family: Daisy family (asteraceae)
- Origin: North and Central America
- Area of distribution: worldwide
- Varieties: approx. 70 species
- Use: oil production, animal feed, soil improver, ornamental plant
- Height: 20 cm to 500 cm
- Leaves: green, heart-shaped, serrated, hairy
- Flower: eye with tubular flowers, outside ray flowers
- Flower size: 8 to 40 cm
- Colors: Yellow to dark red, also multicolored
- Flowering period: June/July to October/November, depending on the variety
- Perennial: H. annuus annual, perennials perennial
- Hardy: H. annuus not hardy, most perennials hardy
- Edible: seeds, and in the case of perennials also the tubers (Jerusalem artichokes)
Sunny location preferred
As their name suggests: sunflowers love the sun. The sunnier the location, the more beautiful the flowers will be.
A permeable soil is a prerequisite. Although sunflowers like a lot of moisture, the roots cannot tolerate waterlogging at all.
As a heavy feeder, the sunflower needs very nutritious soil. It tolerates regular fertilizer applications (€10.00 at Amazon) up to twice a week.
Grow outdoors or in pots
The large varieties of sunflowers develop the most beautiful flowers outdoors, provided the summer is very sunny, warm and it doesn't rain too often.
Sunflowers can also be easily grown in pots or, better yet, buckets and maintained on the terrace or balcony. Short-growing varieties are best suited for this.
Caring for sunflowers in the flower vase
Sunflowers also look lovely in a flower vase. However, they don't last there for very long. Daily water changes and frequent cutting increase the lifespan of the flowers.
If you want to preserve sunflowers for longer, it is recommended to dry the flowers.
Drying is also recommended if you want to harvest the kernels to feed them as bird food in winter or to use them yourself in the kitchen.
Tips & Tricks
Sunflower flowers and leaves always align with the sun. This growth habit is called heliotropism. Only the parts of the plant that are currently in the shade grow.
