Helianthus annuus

Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) — a tall, sun-tracking annual native to North America, domesticated by Indigenous peoples for its seeds and oil. The botanical home of our sunflower range.

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  • Sunflower Sungold Double Flowered Tall seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Sungold Double Flowered Tall (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Sungold Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual Double Flowered Tall
    $6.00

    Sunflower Sungold for Tall Double Blooms sunflower sungold seeds produce a tall annual sunflower variety with richly double, pompon-like flower heads in warm golden tones. This ornamental selection is grown for its bold garden presence...
  • Sunflower Sungold Double Flowered Dwarf seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Sungold Double Flowered Dwarf (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Sunflower Sungold Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual Double Flowered Dwarf
    $5.00$6.00

    Dwarf double sunflower for borders and pots sunflower sungold seeds produce a compact, double-flowered annual that brings a rich golden look to beds, borders, and patio containers. This dwarf selection stays around 50 cm tall,...
  • Sunflower Nakdi F1 Pollen Free seeds (Helianthus annuus) – organic annual flower Sunflower Nakdi F1 Pollen Free (Helianthus annuus) – organic annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    25%
    Sunflower Seeds Nakdi F1 Organic Helianthus Annuus Annual Pollen Free
    $6.00$8.00

    Organic sunflower for bold, pollen-free garden color Sunflower seeds ‘Nakdi F1’ are an organic flower choice for gardeners who want a clean, showy display with strong visual impact. This pollen free sunflower variety produces a...
  • Sunflower Sunlit Bouquet Mix 75cm seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Sunlit Bouquet Mix 75cm (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Seeds Sunlit Helianthus Annuus Annual Bouquet Mix 75cm
    $8.00

    Sunlit annual sunflowers for colourful bouquet displays Sunflower seeds Sunlit Helianthus Annuus Annual Bouquet Mix are a vibrant flower selection designed for bright, garden-fresh arrangements. This annual sunflower seed mix produces semi tall sunflowers 75...
  • Sunflower Lemon Queen seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Lemon Queen (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Lemon Queen Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual Flower
    $6.00

    Light Yellow Sunflowers For Borders And Hedges sunflower lemon queen seeds are an annual flower choice valued for their airy, light yellow blooms with a darker central disc. This lemon queen sunflower variety develops a...
  • Sunflower Dwarf Yellow seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Dwarf Yellow (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Dwarf Yellow Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual
    $6.00

    Compact annual sunflower for pots and borders sunflower dwarf yellow seeds are a compact, bright-flowering choice for small gardens, patios, and balconies. This dwarf yellow sunflower stays around 40 cm tall, making it easy to...
  • Sunflower Single Giant 250 Cm seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Single Giant 250 Cm (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Single Giant Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual 250 Cm
    $6.00

    Giant annual sunflower for dramatic garden height sunflower single giant seeds produce a classic, towering annual flower with an impressive presence in borders and large beds. This tall sunflower variety is known for forming one...
  • Sunflower Irish Eyes seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Irish Eyes (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Sunflower Irish Eyes Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual
    $5.00$6.00

    Bright dwarf sunflower for borders and pots sunflower irish eyes seeds produce a compact, branching annual sunflower with clear yellow blooms and attractive light green foliage. This dwarf sunflower is a practical choice when you...
  • Sunflower Pacino seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Pacino (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Seeds Pacino Helianthus Annuus Annual Variety
    $8.00

    Compact annual sunflower for pots and borders sunflower seeds ‘Pacino’ are a compact annual flower choice for small gardens, patios, and container displays. This pacino sunflower variety is valued for its neat, dwarf habit and...
  • Dwarf Sunflower Sunspot seeds (Helianthus annuus) – organic annual flower Dwarf Sunflower Sunspot (Helianthus annuus) – organic annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Dwarf Sunflower Seeds Organic Helianthus Annuus Annual Sunspot
    $6.00

    Organic Sunspot dwarf sunflower for compact displays dwarf sunflower seeds are an excellent choice when you want cheerful, space-saving blooms without sacrificing classic sunflower impact. This organic Sunspot dwarf sunflower is a full sun flowering...
  • Sunflower Sunspot seeds (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower Sunflower Sunspot (Helianthus annuus) – annual flower seeds from SeedsChoice
    Sunflower Sunspot Seeds Helianthus Annuus Annual
    $6.00

    Compact annual sunflower with bright yellow blooms sunflower sunspot seeds are a compact, decorative choice for gardeners who want a cheerful, space-saving sunflower for smaller beds and patio displays. This dwarf, annual variety forms a...
  • Sunflower Sprouting seeds (Helianthus annuus) – organic annual sprouting seeds Sunflower Sprouting (Helianthus annuus) – organic annual sprouting seeds from SeedsChoice
    17%
    Sunflower Sprouting Seeds Organic Helianthus Annuus Annual
    $5.00$6.00

    Organic sunflower sprouts for fresh kitchen use sunflower sprouting seeds are selected for producing crisp, tender shoots with a mild, nutty flavour reminiscent of fresh sunflower kernels. These organic sprouting seeds are a popular choice...

Helianthus annuus — the common sunflower

Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, is a tall, fast-growing annual in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and one of the most recognisable flowers in the world. Cheerful, generous and easy from seed, it is the species behind our entire sunflower range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

The sunflower is native to North America, where Indigenous peoples domesticated it thousands of years ago — using it for edible seeds, oil, flour, dye and medicine long before it reached the wider world. Spanish explorers carried it back across the Atlantic in the 16th century, first as a curiosity in botanical gardens and then, in Eastern Europe and Russia, as a major agricultural oilseed. It was largely Russian breeders who developed the big oil-rich types grown around the world today.

Its botanical name joins the Greek helios (sun) and anthos (flower), a nod to the way young plants track the sun across the sky — a habit known as heliotropism. Mature heads usually settle facing east, warming early in the morning to draw in pollinators.

Botanical characteristics

From knee-high dwarf types to giants over three metres tall, Helianthus annuus carries the classic bloom — which is in fact a composite head of hundreds of tiny florets ringed by bright ray petals. The spiral of seeds at its centre follows a striking mathematical pattern that packs them with remarkable efficiency. Beyond the familiar yellow, modern varieties span cream, lemon, bronze, rust-red and deep chocolate, in single-stem and multi-headed branching forms. Their pollen- and nectar-rich faces make sunflowers a favourite among our pollinator flowers and bee-friendly flowers, while the branching types are prized in our cut-flower range.

Growing Helianthus annuus from seed

Sunflowers are among the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow from seed, which makes them a brilliant first sow for children. Sow after the last frost directly into warm soil, or start them in pots indoors and harden off before planting out. Give them full sun and shelter from strong wind, and stake the tall varieties early in exposed gardens. Leave the spent heads standing in autumn and the ripe seeds will feed finches and other birds well into winter. The flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the details.

Ready to grow sunflowers? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Sunflower · Pollinator Flowers · Bee-Friendly Flowers · Cut Flowers · All Flower Seeds

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Helianthus annuus?
It is the botanical name for the common sunflower, a tall annual in the daisy family.

Where do sunflowers originate?
From North America, where Indigenous peoples domesticated them thousands of years ago for seeds and oil.

What does the name mean?
It joins the Greek helios (sun) and anthos (flower), reflecting how young plants follow the sun.

Do sunflowers really follow the sun?
Young buds track the sun across the day (heliotropism); mature heads usually settle facing east.

How do I grow sunflowers from seed?
Sow after the last frost into warm soil in full sun, and stake the tall varieties.