How to Grow Sunflower in Australia
A warm-season flower crop for the home garden
Growing your own Sunflower is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-6/week on sunflower seeds, a single head produces hundreds of seeds.
This guide covers when to plant Sunflower in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Sunflower is a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Sunflower full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 2 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 50 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 7 days, fastest when the soil is between 18 and 30 degrees.
Edible seeds, attracts pollinators and beneficial insects. Provides shade for heat-sensitive crops. Sunflower hulls are allelopathic, mulch from spent heads can suppress nearby plants.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 4 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids and Caterpillars. The main diseases to watch are Downy mildew and Botrytis. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Sunflower is typically ready to harvest in around 80 days (about 3 months). Dry seeds completely before storing in a sealed jar, lasts 6 to 12 months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, sunflower is good seeds roasted and salted as a snack, seeds pressed into sunflower oil, petals added to salads and young heads steamed like artichoke. Nutritionally: edible seeds are nutritious and high in vitamin E and attracts pollinators for garden health.
Companion Planting
Sunflower grows well alongside Cucumber, Corn and Tomato. Keep it away from Potato. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Sunflower Growing
Add sunflower to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sunflower in Australia?
Sunflower is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November, December, January, February and March. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Sunflower take to grow?
Sunflower is generally ready to harvest in around 80 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Sunflower in a pot?
Yes. Sunflower grows well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Sunflower need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Sunflower in the Plant Library
