yardremake
A mature Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Mass planting · Meadow · Naturalized · Butterfly · Cottage · Drought tolerant · Edible

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus · Annual

Common Sunflower is grown as an annual, that matures to about 3–10 ft × 1.5 ft. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained soil. Expect brown, yellow and orange blooms in summer. It attracts butterflies, pollinators and songbirds, stands up well to deer and drought and dry soil.

USDA zones
2-11
Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Mature size
3–10 ft × 1.5 ft
Growth rate
Fast
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained
Bloom color
Brown, Yellow, Orange
Bloom season
Summer
Attracts
Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds, Bees
Tough against
Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Poor soil
Native to
United States and Central America

Will it survive your winters?

We score Common Sunflower’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9 · Zone 10 · Zone 11

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