Planting Sunflower Seeds in a Pot
Sunflower seeds are the perfect plants for a beginner to growing in a pot. They’re easy to grow, and they don’t require much attention from you. In fact, all you need to do to grow cheerful sunflower is plant them in a pot that has good drainage, water them regularly (but not too much), place them in direct sunlight and then sit back and watch them grow!
Prerequisite for growing sunflower:
A large pot: (At least 12 inches deep) with drainage holes and a saucer underneath it.
Minimum Sunlight: Direct sunlight is best, but the plant will tolerate light shade
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0 to 7.0) potting soil, and decent soil moist.
Days to germinate: 1-7
Days to maturity: 130-180 days
Planting depth : 1/2″ – 1″ deep
Planting time: Start seeds indoors two months before the last frost and set out seedlings when all danger of frost has passed.
Steps for growing sunflower in a pot:
Sunflowers are a beautiful addition to any garden. Their tall, strong stems and bright blooms make them a popular choice for people looking for a bold, colorful plant. When the time reaches and you are ready to plant them, follow the simple steps below:
- Step 1: Get some pots. You can use any that you have lying around, as long as they’re at least 5 inches in diameter and deep enough to hold soil, water, and your little seedlings when they grow up.
- Step 2: Fill each pot with fertile soil, layer of compost and water it until the water comes out of the bottom of the pot. You’ll want to make sure that the pot has drainage holes in it so that excess water can drain out of the bottom of the pot, ease water movement and not drown your seeds.
- Step 3: Plant your seeds! It’s important not to put too many seeds in each pot—they need space for their roots to grow big enough for them to support themselves later on down the road. If you’re planting several plants together (like if you want a field of sunflowers), then one seed per square inch is recommended (that’s about three seeds per square foot).
- Step 4: Place your potted sunflower plant outdoors in direct sunlight after all danger of frost has passed (usually mid-May). Once your sunflower seeds have germinated and started growing, keep them watered regularly so they don’t dry out during hot summer days when temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius).
- Step 5: Use plenty of water. You want to water your sunflower plant once every day. For baby plants, that means a quarter cup of water per plant. For more mature plants, you should water in amounts that would fill a half-gallon container. You can also use a spray bottle or mister instead of pouring water directly on top of the soil.
Types of sunflower to grow in a pot.
Growing sunflower plants in containers may seem like a challenge, especially considering how tall sunflowers can get and even become a heavy flower, but believe it or not, it’s actually quite easy. There are several variety of sunflowers that make great container plants. The most popular is the dwarf variety. Dwarf sunflower seeds are easy to get and dwarf sunflowers typically range from 12-36 inches tall in a size container and won’t take up much room on your patio or balcony. They do best when grown in an 8-inch pot with well-drained soil.
Sunflowers also require minimal water and fertilizer, so the only thing you have to worry about is keeping the area around them weed-free. You can fertilize once per month with a balanced fertilizer to keep your plants healthy and continue producing beautiful flowers all summer long. If you’re looking to grow a sunflower type in a pot, there are a few types that will thrive:
First, the Teddy Bear sunflower is an excellent option. These bushy flowers only grow to about three feet tall and have deep yellow petals and dark centers. If you want to attract birds to your garden (and who doesn’t?), Teddy Bear sunflowers are perfect for that.
Next, let’s talk about the Sunspot sunflower. These also only reach about three feet high, but they have an extra perk: they’re edible! So not only do they look great and provide food for the birds, you can eat them yourself.
Also, the lemon queen sunflower grows to about 1 meter tall and produces large amounts of seeds. It can be grown in containers or directly in the ground. Lemon queen sunflower make good cut flower, so you can enjoy their beauty indoors during winter months and give them as gifts during holidays and birthdays.
Finally, if you’re looking for something a little taller, consider growing ‘Little Dorrit’ sunflowers. Their height goes all the way up to seven feet and they produce edible seeds just like Sunspot sunflowers.
Conclusion
Growing these seeds is an easy and rewarding task, and the results can be used as an ingredient in other recipes, or simply appreciated on their own. Growing them in multiple colors or the same colors is your choice—just remember that it’s not a necessary step. I hope these instructions will be helpful to you if you decide to grow your sunflower seeds, and I hope that you enjoy the experience.
Moreover, it would help if you read our article about How Many Seeds Should You Plant Per Hole, Pot, or Cell?
Hey'all I'm Amy, a born foodie and diagnosed with celiac disease 7 years ago. I refused to cave into tasteless, boring gulten free food and create my own!
On my blog you'll find info & cool facts along with recipes, all on gluten free foods!