Wild sunflower is much more than a pretty annual wildflower grown as a desert landscape plant. It’s not an exaggeration to say this useful, adaptable plant has conquered the world. Learn how to grow and care for this surprisingly important southwest native.
Sunflowers are a beloved, iconic flower that are symbolic of summertime and happiness. If you’re looking to grow a typical sunflower the size of a dinner plate, wild sunflower is not that plant.
But if you’re looking to grow a sunflower native to the southwest, consider growing wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
This large, multi-branched annual grows more like a shrub than a wildflower. It’s covered with cheerful medium size (rather than huge) flowers spring through fall.
It’s so tough that it’s often found growing in disturbed areas, vacant lots, along roadsides, and in retention basins.
It sometimes reseeds in the garden, but not to the point of becoming a nuisance.
Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects to your garden. You won’t find a better native plant for attracting seed-eating birds. (There’s a reason sunflower seeds are the mainstay of bird seed mixes!)
But wild sunflower is much more than a festive addition to desert gardens. It has contributed to the world in some amazing ways and is a “rock star” among plants.
It is native to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Mexico but has naturalized on every inhabited continent and all fifty US states
It’s the parent plant to thousands of hybrids and cultivars that dominate both ornamental sunflower varieties, from dwarfs to giants, and commercial production. Varieties of this plant are grown around the world to produce sunflower oil, a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s not an exaggeration to say this useful, adaptable plant has conquered the world.
Why I Like This Plant
- Easy to start from seed
- Grows fast
- Cheerful yellow flowers
- Low maintenance
- Attracts bees, butterflies, birds
Things to Watch Out For
If you have a problem with rabbits, protect the seedlings while they get established.
Wild sunflower seeds are edible, but are not the best for eating. If growing them for personal consumption is your goal, look for one of the confection sunflower cultivars instead.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of growing wild sunflower in your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep it healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Wild sunflower is native to the US southwest and Mexico. It’s a heat-loving annual that thrives in desert climates. It doesn’t mind the heat of summer, even in the hottest places like Phoenix.
However, it’s a frost-tender annual that dies back as soon as the temperature dips below 30℉.
Sun Exposure
Wild sunflower can be grown in full sun to light shade, but plants are healthier and bloom most profusely when they get at least 6 hours of full sun.
Size and Growth Rate
Wild sunflower is a fast-grower that is not your typical bean pole sunflower. It quickly becomes shrub-like, reaching a size of around 3 to 6 feet wide and tall. Plants are multi-branched and covered with yellow flowers, 2 to 4 inches across.
Soil
Wild sunflower will grow in any desert soil, but may have larger flowers if grown in richer, amended soil.
Other Location Considerations
Wild sunflowers are often included in vegetable gardens to provide shade, attract beneficial insects, and even act as a support for climbing vines.
Wild Sunflower:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Wild sunflower |
| Scientific Name | Helianthus annuus |
| Origin | Southwest US, Mexico |
| Plant Type | Annual |
| USDA Zones | All (annual) |
| Cold Hardiness | To 30℉ |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Flower Season | Spring, summer, fall |
| Mature Size | 3-6′ high x 3-6′ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part, reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Wildlife | Attracts birds, bees, butterflies |
How to Plant
Wild sunflower is easy to grow from seed.
Seeds can be planted after the danger of frost has passed through August. Many gardeners plant seeds in succession throughout spring and summer for maximum ongoing blooms.
Plant directly in a sunny spot. Loosen the soil and plant seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep and 1 to 2 feet apart.
Keep seedlings protected from wildlife until they reach about 3 to 4 inches tall.
Where to Buy Seeds
Most sunflower seeds sold are of the many cultivars, not the species. Here are some sources for wild sunflower seeds.
Native Seeds/SEARCH is a not-for-profit organization that specializes in seeds of the desert southwest, both edibles and wildflowers. They’ll ship them to you, or you can arrange to pick them up if you’re in Tucson.
You can also buy their seeds at Spadefoot Nursery in Tucson.
Borderlands Nursery & Seeds in Patagonia, AZ also sells and ships wildflower seeds.
Tucson’s Pima County library system has a free seed library for cardholders. You can check their seed selection online and place a hold, just like you do for books. Last time I checked, they had wild sunflowers seeds available. Your library system may have a similar program.
How to Care for Wild Sunflower
Wild sunflower doesn’t need much care besides regular watering.
Initially, new sprouts need to be kept moist. Plants become somewhat drought tolerant as they mature, but look their best when consistently watered. Plants really come to life after monsoon rains.
A rule of thumb is to water seeds every 3 days until they sprout, then water every 5 to 7 days.
Plants don’t need pruning. While they don’t need fertilizer, you may want to top dress with compost or organic mulch to keep their roots moist and cool, and add organic matter to the soil.
Plant Lover Facts
Wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus) also goes by the common names common sunflower and annual sunflower. What dull names for such a widespread and important plant!
It is native to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Mexico but has naturalized on every inhabited continent and all fifty US states.
Here’s a map of wild sunflower’s distribution. Green denotes its native habitat and purple shows where it has naturalized. Which is almost everywhere.
Archeological evidence suggests that Native Americans have been cultivating and improving wild sunflower for over 8,000 years. They used it medicinally to treat a wide variety of ailments including wounds, snake bite, chest pain, fever, and parasites. They ate the seeds raw, roasted, dried, and ground, and used it as a source of oil.
Gary Nabhan is an agricultural ecologist and ethnobotanist who focuses on the plants of the desert Southwest. He is considered a pioneer in the local food and the heirloom seed saving movements. He collected over 20 sunflower varieties from southwest Native American tribes and then went on to found Native Seeds/SEARCH, a Tucson-based nonprofit that makes native crop seeds available to the public.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
Photo Credits
“Helianthus annuus” by Andreas Rockstein is licensed under CC BY 2.0