Sunflower Varieties: 19 Types of Sunflowers to Grow
19 sunflower varieties to grow, from giant and branching sunflowers to red, white, dwarf and pollen-free types, plus how to grow and cut sunflowers.
By Magda Callery, interior designer and florist
Sunflowers are pure happiness in flower form. They grow astonishingly fast from a single seed, tower over fences, turn their faces to the sun and feed the birds in autumn. And there's far more to them than the classic giant yellow sunflower: today you can grow dwarf sunflowers for pots, branching types that flower for months, pollen-free varieties for the vase and sunflowers in cream, lemon, bronze, burgundy and deep chocolate.
In this guide I'll explain the main types of sunflowers, share 19 sunflower varieties to grow, and give you tips on growing, cutting and using sunflowers in your home.
The quick answer: the main types of sunflowers are giant single-stem sunflowers such as 'Russian Giant' and 'Titan'; branching sunflowers such as 'Velvet Queen' and 'Italian White', which produce many smaller flowers; dwarf sunflowers such as 'Teddy Bear' and 'Sunspot' for pots; pollen-free sunflowers such as the 'ProCut' series for cutting; and perennial sunflowers such as 'Lemon Queen'. Sow them in full sun after the last frost.
Types of Sunflowers
| Type | Height | Flowers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant single-stem | 3 to 4 m or more | One huge head per plant | Height, competitions, seeds for birds |
| Single-stem cutting | 1.5 to 2 m | One flower per stem, often pollen-free | Vases and bouquets |
| Branching | 1.5 to 2.5 m | Many smaller flowers over a long season | Borders and repeat cutting |
| Dwarf | 30 to 90 cm | Small plants, full-size or teddy-bear flowers | Pots, small gardens, children |
| Perennial | 1.5 to 2 m | Many small, bright flowers each year | Borders and pollinators |
University of Minnesota Extension's guide to sunflowers notes that "branching cultivars get quite large and produce an abundance of blooms over a long period," while "pollen-free types do not contain any of the bright yellow pollen that can stain clothing."
19 Sunflower Varieties to Grow
Giant sunflowers
1. 'Russian Giant'. The classic giant, with enormous yellow heads on stems that can reach 3 m or more. Its seeds are loved by birds.
2. 'Titan'. Huge flower heads, sometimes over 50 cm across, on very tall, sturdy plants.
3. 'Skyscraper'. Bred for height, with large golden flowers high above the garden.
Sunflowers for cutting
4. 'ProCut Orange'. A pollen-free, single-stem sunflower with bright orange petals and a dark centre, grown by florists everywhere.
5. 'Vincent's Choice'. Classic golden sunflowers with dark centres, named after Van Gogh.
6. 'Sunrich Lemon'. Pale lemon-yellow petals around a dark centre, pollen-free and long-lasting in the vase.
7. 'Buttercream'. Soft creamy yellow petals that look lovely with white and blue flowers.
Red, bronze and dark sunflowers
8. 'Velvet Queen'. Rich crimson and bronze flowers on branching plants, flowering for weeks.
9. 'Moulin Rouge'. Deep, dark red, pollen-free flowers that are stunning in arrangements.
10. 'Chocolate Cherry'. Dusky burgundy petals that fade to chocolate tones.
11. 'Claret'. Dark wine-red flowers with almost black centres.
12. 'Autumn Beauty'. A branching mix of yellow, bronze, mahogany and bicolour flowers on one plant.
Pale and unusual sunflowers
13. 'Italian White'. Creamy white petals around a dark centre on branching plants, with a soft, elegant look.
14. 'Vanilla Ice'. Pale lemon flowers on a branching, beach sunflower type (Helianthus debilis).
15. 'Strawberry Blonde'. Petals tipped in pale yellow with dusky rose-red bases.
Dwarf sunflowers
16. 'Teddy Bear'. Fluffy, fully double golden flowers on short plants. Children love them.
17. 'Sunspot'. Full-size yellow flower heads on plants under a metre tall.
18. 'Little Becka'. Compact plants with orange and red bicolour flowers, ideal for containers.
Perennial sunflowers
19. 'Lemon Queen' (Helianthus). A tall perennial covered in small pale lemon flowers from late summer into autumn. It's a magnet for bees.
How to Grow Sunflowers
- When to sow. University of Minnesota Extension advises that you "direct seed sunflowers after all danger of frost has passed." You can also sow indoors in pots three to four weeks earlier.
- Sun. Choose the sunniest spot you have, sheltered from strong wind.
- Soil. Any reasonable, well-drained soil works. Giants appreciate a little compost.
- Sowing. Sow seeds about 2.5 cm deep. Protect seedlings from slugs, which love them.
- Spacing. Allow about 15 cm for small cutting types and 45 to 60 cm for giants and branching varieties.
- Staking. Tie tall and giant sunflowers to a stake or fence.
- Watering. Water well in dry spells, especially as flower heads form.
- Successional sowing. Sow single-stem cutting types every two or three weeks until midsummer for a long supply.
Sunflowers fit beautifully into a cutting patch alongside zinnias, cosmos and marigolds.
Sunflowers as Cut Flowers
Cut sunflowers when the petals are just starting to lift away from the centre, ideally in the morning. Strip most of the leaves, put the stems straight into deep water, and change it every day or two. Pollen-free varieties are best for indoors, as they won't drop pollen on tablecloths.
Three or five sunflowers in a heavy jug make one of the happiest simple flower arrangements of all. Like other yellow flowers, they're associated with joy, warmth and loyalty.
Sunflowers in Art and Culture
- Van Gogh's sunflowers. Vincent van Gogh painted his famous series of sunflowers in Arles in 1888 and 1889, among the best-known famous flower paintings in the world.
- Ukraine. The sunflower is Ukraine's national flower and a symbol of peace and resilience.
- Native America. Sunflowers were grown by Indigenous peoples of North America for thousands of years for food, oil and dye.
- Following the sun. Young sunflowers track the sun across the sky during the day; mature flower heads usually settle facing east.
Sunflowers for Birds and Wildlife
Leave a few heads on the plant at the end of summer and the seeds will feed goldfinches, tits and other birds through autumn. Single, pollen-rich varieties are also excellent for bees, while pollen-free types are best kept for the vase.
Decorating With Sunflowers
Sunflowers bring instant warmth to a kitchen or dining room, and their golds and bronzes suit autumn schemes in mustard and terracotta. Dried sunflower heads look wonderful among autumn decoration ideas, and pair well with pumpkins and seed heads.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it's a problem | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing too early | Frost kills seedlings | Sow after the last frost |
| Planting in shade | Weak, leaning stems and few flowers | Choose full sun |
| Forgetting slugs | Seedlings vanish overnight | Protect young plants |
| Not staking giants | Heavy heads snap the stems | Tie them to a stake or fence |
| Cutting too late | Flowers drop petals quickly | Cut as the petals start to open |
| Using pollen-rich types indoors | Pollen stains cloth | Choose pollen-free varieties for the vase |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of sunflowers?
The main types are giant single-stem, single-stem cutting, branching, dwarf and perennial sunflowers.
What is the tallest sunflower variety?
Giant varieties such as 'Russian Giant', 'Titan' and 'Skyscraper' can grow 3 to 4 m tall, and record-breaking plants grow even taller.
What are the best sunflowers for cutting?
Pollen-free, single-stem varieties such as the 'ProCut' and 'Sunrich' series, along with 'Moulin Rouge' and 'Buttercream'.
Do sunflowers come back every year?
Most sunflowers are annuals and need sowing each year. Perennial types such as 'Lemon Queen' return every year.
Can you grow sunflowers in pots?
Yes. Dwarf varieties such as 'Teddy Bear', 'Sunspot' and 'Little Becka' are ideal for large pots.
Are there red sunflowers?
Yes. 'Velvet Queen', 'Moulin Rouge', 'Claret' and 'Chocolate Cherry' have deep red, bronze or burgundy petals.
How long do sunflowers last in a vase?
Usually around a week, sometimes longer, if you cut them early, strip the leaves and change the water regularly.
A Summer of Sunshine
From towering giants to dwarf pot plants and dark, velvety cut flowers, there's a sunflower for every garden. Sow a few different varieties this spring, give them plenty of sun, and you'll have flowers for the house and seeds for the birds right through to autumn.
And if you'd like help bringing warm, sunny colour into your home, you can book a one-hour online interior design consultation with me.
About the author
Magda Callery is a UK interior designer and florist with more than 15 years' experience designing homes, pubs, restaurants and bars, and her expert commentary has featured in Homes & Gardens, The Mirror and The Spruce. Explore more of the flowers & garden articles.
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