Also known as Sunflower · 334 gardener saves
Helianthus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Helianthus, the genus most gardeners know as sunflower. We track 24 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Helianthus varieties
Of 24 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSwamp Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius 'First Light'
#2 most savedMaximilian sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
#3 most savedNarrow-Leaf Sunflower Low Down
Helianthus angustifolius 'Low Down'
Bolander's Sunflower, Serpentine Sunflower
Helianthus bolanderi
Salicifolius Sunflower Willowleaf Sunflower
Helianthus salicifolius
Table Mountain Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Table Mountain'
Common Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
White Lite Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'White Lite'
Mammoth Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth'
Big Bear Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Big Bear'
Sunflower Autumn Gold
Helianthus annuus 'Autumn Gold'
Lemon Queen Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Lemon Queen'
Browse all 24 Helianthus varieties →
How to grow Helianthus
What the Helianthus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 24 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Helianthus year
- StakeMay and June92% of varieties
Stake tall varieties when plants reach 2-3 feet to prevent flopping.
- PlantMarch–May79% of varieties
Sow seeds directly after last frost or transplant seedlings.
- HarvestJuly–September79% of varieties
Cut for bouquets or leave seed heads to dry for birds.
- FertilizeMay–July42% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer once or twice early in the season.
Do
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water deeply once a week 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly during the growing season
- Deadhead faded flowers to encourage more blooms
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Do not plant in shady areas, as sun is essential
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Helianthus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Sunflower beetle | Chewed leaves and defoliation | Use organic insecticidal sprays or handpick beetles |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Sunflower beetles | Chewed leaves and defoliation | Handpick beetles or use organic insecticide |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Downy Mildew | Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces, fuzzy gray mold underneath | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Helianthus
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Transplant seedlings after 4–6 weeks when established
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch stem cuttings in late spring
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil
- Keep in warm, humid environment for 4-6 weeks
Helianthus questions
How many types of Helianthus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 24 distinct Helianthus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 334 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Helianthus grow in?
Across its varieties, Helianthus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Helianthus bloom?
Most Helianthus varieties bloom in late summer, late summer to fall, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Helianthus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Helianthus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
