Sunflower seeds can be sown indoors during spring or can be sown directly out into the ground where they are going to flower. Just like Sophie’s Sunflower design, these bright and cheerful blooms will add character and warmth into the home and garden with their long, elegant stems and soft yellow petals giving them a sun-like appearance. We love growing sunflowers - it’s great to get the kids involved and see who can grow the tallest sunflower over the summer!
Sunflowers are also great for the environment! Our charity partner Buglife, who are the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates said: "Sunflowers are a great plant to grow for pollinators because their open flower is a great source of late season pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators at a time of year especially following a hot summers when most other plants have finished flowering and food is thus becoming scarce".
Bring sunflowers into the home with Sophie's Sunflower Bedding Set
Sowing your sunflower seeds indoors
March to April is a good time to sow seeds indoors, follow our guidelines below.
What you need:
- Sunflower seeds - check the packet and see how tall they can grow
- Gardening gloves
- Seed trays or 7.5 cm pots
- Multi-purpose compost
- A bright windowsill
- A gardening trowel
- Canes
- Gardening string
Get garden ready with a range of essential gardening tools and accessories.
How to sow sunflowers indoors:
-
Use a seed tray or 7.5 cm pot.
-
Ensure you use good quality, multi-purpose compost.
-
Plant your seeds approx 1.5 cm depth down.
-
Once planted, position indoors on a bright windowsill and cover with a clear bag or your seed tray lid. This will help keep them warm and allow the seeds to germinate.
-
As your seedlings grow, pot them onto larger plant pots, and water them regularly.
-
If you have a greenhouse, you can transfer your seedlings as the weather gets warmer.
-
After the last frost (usually early June) and when your seedlings are around 30 cm tall, you can plant these in the garden.
-
Watch out for slugs and snails as they like to eat new shoots.
-
Your sunflowers will eventually need support, place a cane near the stem and loosely tie gardening string to the plant.
Add these bright blooms to your kitchen and dining room.
Sow and grow your sunflower seeds outdoors:
Sunflower seeds can usually be directly sown into the ground outdoors during May. Check the planting guidelines on your seed packet as some varieties can vary.
What you need:
- Sunflower seeds - check the packet and see how tall they can grow
- Gardening gloves
- A rake
- A gardening trowel
- Canes
- Gardening string
Sowing sunflower seeds outdoors:
-
Sunflower seeds can be sown directly into the ground where you want them to flower.
-
Remove any weeds in the flower bed where you are sowing your sunflowers.
-
Rake the soil to give a fine crumbly texture.
-
Make drills (holes) approx. 1.5 cm deep and leave 10 cm between each seed - this will ensure they have plenty of space to grow.
-
Place your seeds into the holes and cover them up with soil.
-
Water your seeds gently after sowing.
-
As they get bigger, plants can become crowded - where possible thin your plants out, leaving the strongest and tallest sunflowers in place.
-
Watch out for slugs and snails as they like to eat new shoots.
-
Your sunflowers will eventually need support. Place a cane near the stem and loosely tie gardening string to the plant.
Love sunflowers as much as we do? Discover Sophie's Sunflower collection, which brings these beautiful summer blooms into the home, from bedding for summer siestas to kitchen linens and tableware.