Common Sunflower
Helianthus Annuus
Overview
The Common Sunflower, Helianthus annuus, shines with large, vibrant yellow blooms reaching diameters of 6 to 12 inches. This annual towers at 6 to 10 feet tall, preferring full sun locations. Its sturdy stems and broad, coarse leaves create an attractive backdrop. Sunflowers provide excellent cut flowers and attract bees and birds. Space them 18 to 36 inches apart to accommodate their growth and ensure adequate sunlight.
Sun FullWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 5–10Type Annual

Culture
- Sun
- Full
- Water
- Extra in Summer, Medium
- USDA zones
- 5–10
Shape & size
Classification
- Type
- Annual
- Family
- Asteraceae
See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.
Start your 14-day trialPhotos (149)
























Photographs by 10 contributors
- Radio Tonreg from Vienna, Austria, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Meshari Alawfi, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Dcrjsr, CC BY 3.0 · source
- User:Nino barbieri, CC BY 2.5 · source
- Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Rifat R, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Dandy1022, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us · source
- PierreSelim, CC BY 3.0 · source
- Afsarnayakkan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Related plants

Shrub
African Bush Daisy
Euryops Chrysanthemoides
FullUSDA 9–11

Ground cover
African Daisy
Arctotis Hybrids
FullUSDA 8–10

Annual
African Daisy
Dimorphotheca Aurantiaca
FullUSDA 9–10

Perennial
Aloha Coneflower
Echinacea 'Aloha'
FullUSDA 3–9

Perennial
Alpine Aster
Aster Alpinus
FullUSDA 2–10

Perennial
Alpine Aster
Aster alpinus
FullUSDA 6–10