How to grow Sunflower in Australia
Sow in full sun in well drained soil, as these tall plants need plenty of light and warmth. Water deeply but less often to push roots down for stability.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 50 cm
- Time to harvest: 80 days
- Time to germinate: 7 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to February | Sow direct Sep to Feb once the soil warms. Frost tender. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost-tender; sow Oct to Dec only (soil 15°C+). Dies in frost. Narrow window. |
| Adelaide & SA | September to December | Sow Sep to Dec direct. Sunflowers take the heat with deep watering; stake tall types against the wind. |
| Perth & WA | September to December | Sow Sep to Dec direct. Sunflowers take the heat with deep watering; stake tall types against the wind. |
| Tasmania | October to December | Sow Oct to Dec. Choose early varieties for the short summer. |
| Canberra & ACT | November and December | Sow direct Nov to Dec after the last frost in early November. Sowings after December rarely flower before autumn frost. |
| North Queensland | April to September | Sow Apr to Sep in the dry season. Wet season humidity brings fungal disease and storms flatten the tall stems, so have heads finished before the rain returns. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to August | Dry season Apr to Aug. Wet season storms flatten and rot stems. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
For cut flowers, cut when the head is just opening. For seeds, wait until the back of the head turns yellow brown and seeds plump up, then cut and dry the head.
Storage
Dry seeds completely before storing in a sealed jar, lasts 6 to 12 months.