Growing Red Sun Sunflower Garden Seeds

Red Sun sunflower seeds are recommended solely for outdoor growth because of their 60+" height. Plants grow so vigorously that there is little reason to start seed indoors. Sow directly after final frost in a sunny spot at the north end of the garden and sheltered from strong winds. Plant 2-3 Red Sun sunflower seeds ½" deep and 18-24" apart in average, loamy, and well-drained soil with full sun. Young plants may need staking. Red Sun sunflowers are heat and drought tolerant, but susceptible to mold, downy mildew, and powdery mildew in poorly-drained soil. Plant Red Sun sunflower seeds at the north end of a garden because it will not take long to overshadow an entire garden. Monitor regularly for foliage-eating caterpillars and beetles, but Red Sun sunflowers have no serious pests or diseases. Red Sun sunflower seeds mature in 90-110 days as 60-72" tall branching uprights with a 12-24" spread and 5-6" head of smokey burgundy, bronze, and copper petals and a dark chocolate-seeded center.

A common misconception about flowering Helianthus annuus heads is that they track the sun across the sky. Immature sunflower buds will exhibit this tendency, while mature heads are fixed throughout the day, generally facing an eastern direction. The leaves and foliage, however, will lean towards the sun for full light advantage.