What it is
Sunflower (Seed) (Helianthus annuus) is in the Asteraceae (Daisy) family. Cheerful, drought-tough, and dual-purpose — edible seeds for you and the birds, plus pollen for the bees.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it low, and give it tolerant soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 12–24 in apart. Expect roughly 80–120. Warm-season annual.
How it's used
Sunflower (Seed) is used: roasted seeds; oil.
🔎 How to identify it
- Tall coarse hairy stalk
- Big yellow flower tracking the sun
- Heavy seed head droops when ripe
Edibility
PartsSeeds
UsesRoasted seeds; oil
CautionConfirm seed heads dry before harvest.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.