Also known as Mexican Sunflower · 8 gardener saves
Tithonia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tithonia, the genus most gardeners know as mexican sunflower. We track 3 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 3 most-saved Tithonia varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedTree Marigold Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia diversifolia
#2 most savedTorch Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia 'The Torch'
#3 most savedMexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia
How to grow Tithonia
What the Tithonia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tithonia year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Sow seeds directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
- StakeJune and July100% of varieties
Provide staking for tall stems, especially in windy locations.
- DeadheadJuly–September100% of varieties
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.
- Pinch TipsMay67% of varieties
Pinch young plants when 12 inches tall to encourage branching.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming
- Apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season
- Provide full sun for optimal growth
- Water deeply once a week 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not neglect pruning, which encourages healthy growth
- Refrain from planting in poorly drained soil
- Avoid excessive fertilization which can cause legginess
What goes wrong with Tithonia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Apply neem oil or sulfur-based fungicide |
Making more Tithonia
Cuttings
- Select healthy stem with 2-3 leaves
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist soil and keep warm for 6 weeks
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil surface in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Transplant seedlings after they develop 2-3 true leaves
Tithonia questions
How many types of Tithonia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Tithonia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 8 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tithonia grow in?
Across its varieties, Tithonia covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tithonia bloom?
Most Tithonia varieties bloom in late summer, mid-summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tithonia 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
Tithonia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Tithonia 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.
