Mexican Sunflower
The nectar-rich flowers of the Mexcian sunflower, make it an ideal plant for attracting bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. These gorgeous flowers are easy to grow and are stunning when grouped togther!
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Red Torch |
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Tithonia rotundifolia |
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Easy |
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Intermediate |
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3-4 years if properly stored |
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Annual |
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10-21 days |
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4-6′ |
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Needs Light to germinate Full sun |
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Late spring until frost |
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March, April, and May |
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Yes |
Growing Tips
When to Start
Spring: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. (Mid-Feb – Mid-Mar for Jefferson, GA)
Direct sow: After all danger of the last frost. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
How to Start
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Mexican Sunflowers requires light to germinate, so gently press into the seed starting mix and place under grow lights. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed and after hardening off. Or direct sow by only covering with enough soil to keep the seeds from blowing away.
Care
Tithonia grows best in full sun in poor to average, well-drained soil. (That being said, Mexican sunflowers LOVE Jefferson’s clay soil and climate. They can get very thick stems and tall in this area.) Avoid planting in rich soil or heavy fertilization that will promote excess foliage and weak stems. Pinch back plants to encourage bushier growth and sturdier plants that are less likely to fall over.
Plants often need to be staked to remain upright as they can get quite tall and will blow over in thunderstorms. Shelter from strong winds if possible. Thin or space 24 inches apart.
It has few pest problems and is not favored by deer. Hummingbirds, however, will fight over the nectar-rich flowers just like a hummingbird feeder.
Deadheading spent flowers will prolong blooming. The flowers are followed by grey to black flattened triangular seeds that are easy to collect to save to grow in subsequent years. They also self-seed very well.
My personal experience
I love growing these. I have volunteers each year from the original ones I started from seed years ago. Mine generally get around 5-6 feet tall. I never pinch them. And they get quite big around.
I’m not as good about steaking them as I used to be. I really should as winds will knock them over. When that happens I just prune anything that falls outside of the flower bed to make for easier mowing.
These are planted in my flower bed. Once the plants are established, I very rarely water anything in this bed. They do just fine relying on only whatever rain we get during the summer and fall.
One year I planted one in the front flower bed and it decided it was going to be giant. It grew 9+ feet tall and reached the roof. It was so weird looking!
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate 1/2 mile to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Allow the biggest and healthiest blooms to mature on the plant. Cover the seed head with a fine-mesh bag as soon as the flower petals shrivel and die. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest.
Clip the flower head from the main stem once the seeds are dry and dark. Separate plant debris from the seeds by removing the mesh bag and placing the flower head in a paper bag and shaking to loosen the seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand. Wearing gloves is recommended as the seed head can be sharp.
Features
- Good cut flowers
- Attracts pollinators
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Deer resistant
- Easy to grow
- Drought tolerant
- Low maintenance
- Red Torch: Heirloom. Also known as the Golden Flower of the Aztecs. It has brilliant, red-orange, flowers. An excellent butterfly plant and its nectar-rich flowers are also loved by hummingbirds. This plant produces masses of blooms over a very long season.
It doesn’t always need staking, but sometimes the wind can be a problem and it needs a little help. It’s better to have a steak and not need it than to need a steak and risk disturbing the roots. I use 6′ fence posts as mine will grow taller than me.