15 Types of Sunflowers That Will Brighten Your Garden (2024)

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Sunflowers—and Harvest Their Seeds

Common Sunflower

Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is likely what comes to mind when you think of this bloom. "With bright yellow radial flowers, this plant stands out in the landscape and is a favorite of pollinators, including bees and butterflies," says Damon Abdiof the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University'sagricultural center. "It's a very rapid grower and is often seen growing naturally along roadsides and fields."

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 1.5 to 10 feet tall x 1.5 to 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil
  

Swamp Sunflower

Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) is a perennial species with narrower leaves and smaller flowers than the common sunflower, says Abdi. It has an upright growing habit and is beloved by pollinators.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 5 to 8 feet tall x 2.5 to 4 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to partial shade; slightly acidic, moist soil

Appalachian Sunflower

Appalachian sunflower (Helianthus atrorubens) is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial with hairy leaves and stems, says Abdi. It's beloved for its deer- and drought-resistant qualities. What's more, its seeds are enjoyed by a variety of wildlife, increasing the biodiversity in your garden.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates a range of soils

Forest Sunflower

Forest sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus) produces small, bright yellow blooms that spread 1 to 3 inches across, says Abdi. This variety is commonly found growing in woodlands and forests and can spread aggressively in the right conditions, so plant with care.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

Woodland Sunflower

Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) is a deer- and drought-tolerant plant that's perfect for areas of your garden that are partially shaded, says Abdi. The showy blooms look beautiful in flower arrangements.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 5 to 7 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

Mammoth Sunflower

Mammoth sunflower (Helianthus giganteus) is a very popular variety because of its impressive height—this type of sunflower can reach 10 feet tall or more. Its large heads are typically 12 inches wide and tend to droop, so staking may be required, says Adrienne Roethling, garden director forPaul J. Ciener Botanical Garden.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 8 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: full sun; moist soil

Sunchoke

Sunchoke sunflowers (Helianthus tuberosus)—also known as wild sunflower or sun root—have thick tuberous roots like ginger. "They are semi-starchy and can be consumed raw or cooked," says Roethling. Like many other types of sunflowers, this variety is beloved by pollinators.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 6 to 10 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to partial shade; alkaline, well-draining soil

Schweinitz Sunflower

Schweinitz sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) is native to the United States and commonly found growing in North and South Carolina. "They will grow by tubers, so when happy, this plant will grow into a large mass," says Roethling. "The flowers are held in clusters at the end of the stems from August to October. Flowers are all yellow and about 2 inches across."

• Zones: 7 to 9
• Size: 3 to 12 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

Maximilian Sunflower

Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) was discovered in the 1800s and can be found growing as far as northern Mexico and western Canada, says Roethling. "A bonus for this species is some populations have burgundy fall color," she says. "The flowers begin halfway up the stem with single flowers emerging from the leaf axils, and more flowers are held in clusters at the top of the stems." Some staking may be needed for this variety.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 3 to 10 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

Small-Headed Sunflower

Small-headed sunflower (Helianthus microcephalus) is a native wildflower that's found in dry woodlands and on roadsides, says Abdi. It has beautiful, showy flowers that form clusters at the top of each stem. "Deadhead old flowers to reinvigorate blooming and avoid excessive seeding," says Abdi.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Fewleaf Sunflower

Fewleaf sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis) is a type of wildflower that can tolerate partial sun and a wide range of soils. It's recognized by its basal rosette of leaves and rounded foliage with pointy tips. Fewleaf sunflower will need to be divided every few years to control excessive spreading, says Abdi.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 2 to 5 feet tall x 1.5 to 2 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to part shade; dry, well-draining soil
  

Resindot Sunflower

Resindot sunflower (Helianthus resinosus) gets its name because it has a profusion of resin dots and glands on the flower heads and leaves, Abdi says. It produces large, upright flowers that are great for pollinators. Keep in mind that this variety self-seeds and spreads from subsurface suckers, so it can be cumbersome to control.

• Zones: 7 to 9
• Size: 6 to 10 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

Muck Sunflower

Muck sunflower (Helianthus simulans) is ideal for wetter areas of the landscape and is a great option to grow in rain gardens, says Abdi. It produces daisy-like flowers that have yellow petals and a reddish-brown center. This variety spreads via rhizomes so it can grow to be pretty wide, says Abdi.

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 3 to 8 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist soil

Willowleaf Sunflower

Willowleaf sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius) gets its common name because it has leaves like a willow tree. "Willow leaves are long and narrow, which is the same for willowleaf sunflower," says Roethling. "Plants emerge in spring with arching stems producing blue-green, narrow 3- to 4-inch long leaves. It’s quite graceful in the garden and should be grown in the back of the border." Its small, daisy-like flowers emerge in late summer.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 10 feet tall x 5 feet wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; dry, well-draining soil

Teddy Bear Sunflower

This dwarf variety of sunflower will add a sense of whimsy to your garden. "Teddy bear sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear') is another popular variety as it almost has no disc, just a mass of rays," sys Roethling. "When in flower, it’s hard to see the pollen, nectar, and seed maturation."

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 18 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
• Growing requirements: Full sun; dry, well-draining soil