Mexican Sunflower Seeds - Orange
SEASON
Annual
USDA ZONES
4 - 11
HEIGHT
28 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Early summer to early fall
BLOOM COLOR
Orange
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun to partial shade
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 6.5
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
About...
Mexican Sunflower Orange (Tithonia Speciosa Goldfinger) - Mexican Sunflower Goldfinger can be easily grown from Tithonia seeds. The incredible 3 - 4 inch orange flowers are excellent for cutting. They also are butterfly magnets, particularly the Monarch butterfly. Heat and drought tolerant plants.
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
70F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
7 - 14 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes - avoid direct sunlight by shading seeds after sowing
DEPTH
Do not cover seeds
SOWING RATE
2 - 3 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep soil slightly moist, but not wet
PLANT SPACING
12 - 18 inches
Mexican Sunflower Orange (Tithonia Speciosa Goldfinger) - Mexican Sunflower Goldfinger can be easily grown from Tithonia seeds. The incredible 3 - 4 inch orange flowers are excellent for cutting. They also are butterfly magnets, particularly the Monarch butterfly. The plants begin blooming in July or August and continues until frost. Grow these flowers behind beds or borders where their coarse texture, rangy habit and vivid flowers will stand above less boisterous plantings. Orange Tithonia plants may grow as a perennial in USDA Zones 10 - 11.
Growing Mexican Sunflower from flower seeds is extremely easy. Directly sow the seeds into prepared seed beds after all danger of frost has passed. Amend the soil with organic compost a couple of weeks before sowing the Tithonia seeds. Sow the flower seed in groups of 2 - 3 seeds spaced 12 - 18 inches apart. Thin to the strongest plant. The Orange Mexican Sunflower plant will benefit from having the spent blooms removed. The plant thrives in hot, sunny climates and does best if it is allowed to dry out in-between deep waterings as the plants are heat and drought tolerant.
Common Questions
Do I need to prune my Mexican sunflowers?
Pruning these flowers is not necessary. However, deadheading spent blooms encourages more blooms. You can prune to shape the plant promoting bushier growth but may lose some flowers.
What do I do with Mexican sunflowers at the end of the season?
Cut them down, chop up the stalks, and add them to your compost bin. These flowers provide excellent nutrients to the garden.
Will pollinators be attracted to the Mexican sunflower?
Yes, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all like these flowers.
What are some good companion plants?
Crocosmia, zinnia, coreopsis and ornamental grasses all make wonderful companion plants for Mexican sunflowers.
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