Interesting Facts About Sunflowers – the “Happy” Flower!

Did you know the common name for Helianthus annuus is Sunflower? Sunflowers are known as ‘happy’ flowers. Here is some information about this perennial/annual:

Growing Sunflowers

You can sow sunflower seeds outdoors after the threat of frost has passed. Sunflowers aren’t picky about the soil they are planted in, and they love to grow in full sun (6+ hours per day). Once established, they will tolerate some drought. However, in the periods before, during, and after flowering, they perform best with deep, regular watering. Annual sunflowers bloom during summer and into autumn. Perennial sunflowers bloom for 8-12 weeks, usually July through October.

Fun Facts about Sunflowers

The flower of a sunflower plant is ‘heliotropic’, which means it turns its blooms from east to west to follow the sun. Once it matures, it has a fixed direction which is usually east.

Sunflowers can reproduce through self-pollination. Even if birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects don’t visit the flower, a sunflower can pollinate itself!

Each individual sunflower is composed of thousands of teeny flowers that develop into 1,000 to 2,000 seeds.

The tallest sunflower on record was over 30 feet tall!

Sunflowers Have Many Uses

The flowers can be used to make a yellow dye. The leaves are used to feed animals. Seeds contain a sweet, yellow oil. Sunflower oil is used in cooking and making soaps and paints. Many people eat dried or roasted sunflower seeds as a snack.

Want to Color a Sunflower?

Click on this link for a drawing of a Brown-Eyed Girl Helianthus from our ‘Color Your Garden’ coloring book.