Mexican Sunflower Growing Guide

Tithonia rotundifolia

Mexican Sunflower

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

No. Mexican sunflowers grow best as warm-season annuals.

Feeding

None generally required. Plants that show slow growth can be drenched with a dilute liquid organic fertiliser every three weeks.

Spacing

Single Plants: 35cm (1' 1") each way (minimum)
Rows: 35cm (1' 1") with 35cm (1' 1") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Category 1b invasive species. Cannot be grown in South Africa.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Mexican sunflowers can grow to 1.8m (6 feet) tall, with numerous side branches. Three plants grown as a group resembles are large, summer-blooming shrub. Butterflies and bees love the open blossoms. In warm climates, Mexican sunflower is a modest reseeder.

Harvesting

Gather blossoms to use as cut flowers soon after they open. Snipping off old flowers improves the appearance of these stately plants, and may prolong bloom time. Or, leave the seeds to be harvested by goldfinches.

Troubleshooting

Summer storms can topple the big plants, which benefit from staking.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Mexican Sunflower