With its bright orange basket flowers, the Mexican sunflower is reminiscent of a large zinnia or marigold. We would like to experience so much color in the garden every year. The question arises as to whether the exotic flower can overwinter in the Central European climate?
Can you overwinter a Mexican sunflower?
The Mexican sunflower cannot overwinter in the Central European climate because it is not frost-resistant. To still have them in the garden every year, you can harvest ripe seeds in autumn and sow them on the windowsill at the end of March at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Mexican sunflower is not frost-resistant
In contrast to hardy perennial sunflowers, the Mexican sunflower has no resistance to frosty temperatures. The planting time therefore only begins in April/May, when ground frosts are no longer expected. At the end of their months-long flowering period, cut the stems close to the ground in autumn or dig up the root ball.
Harvesting seeds for propagation
The lack of winter hardiness of a Tithonia diversifolia does not mean that you have to miss out on the flower festival next year. Harvest the ripe seeds in autumn (€3.00 on Amazon) and sow them on the windowsill at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius at the end of March. By mid-May you will have vital young plants in your hands, which you can plant in a sunny location.
