You have sunflowers and want to know how often to water sunflowers. Here is what you need to know and additional expert gardener tips.
Sunflowers are the crown jewel of any landscape or garden, often towering high above trees and homes by summer’s end.
If you live in USDA hardiness Zone 7a, you can start your sunflowers in April, but in other regions, gardeners should wait until May to ensure an August harvest time.
Taking care of sunflowers is easy, but they require lots of water to thrive.
Want your own hardy and healthy sunflowers? Keep reading to find out how!
Table of Contents
How often to Water Sunflowers?
Plan on watering sunflowers twice weekly, more in warm or drought-like conditions. On average, sunflowers need at least 2 gallons of water each week. A sunflower soil should never be dry but always damp or moist to the touch.
Watering Sunflowers
Water your sunflower at least twice weekly, but more often in hot or dry conditions. It is not unusual to water your sunflower more frequently than any other plants or flowers in your garden or landscape.
Make sure to check the soil surrounding your sunflowers before you water. Make sure that it is relatively moist but not soaked in between watering.
While sunflowers are drought-tolerant with long roots, they require at least 2 gallons of water per week to mature and flower. Sunflowers are estimated to need around 34 inches of water yearly for optimal growth.
Remember that some moisture comes from the elements, including the soil and rainfall, so water accordingly.
Since sunflowers do best in the sun, protect them with a layer of bark mulch on top of the soil, up to but not touching the stalk of your plant, as this can lead to pest problems.
Germinating Sunflowers
When your sunflower is germinating from seed in the soil, keep it moist — moister than when it grows above ground. Since the plant does not yet have the intricate, leggy roots to find moisture underground, it requires more watering.
Plus, water activates something within the sunflower seed that helps the seeds to form and grow. When planting sunflower seeds, water frequently but with a light hand until propagation.
Overwatering Sunflowers
Overwatering is an issue with sunflowers as the roots can become soaked and soggy, which leads to disease, root rot, pests, and mold. Ultimately, overwatering your sunflowers can kill them.
If you notice puddles or standing water around your sunflower, your soil may not be draining adequately.
If this persists for 24 hours following a rainstorm or watering, you will want to move your sunflowers to a different location with well-draining soil.
Watering Potted Sunflowers
The main difference between watering potted sunflowers and in-ground sunflowers is the frequency.
Typically, potted sunflowers require more water, as their roots are not as long and can find moisture underground.
When planting sunflowers in a container, it is imperative to watch out for wet roots susceptible to rot. Never let your container sit in water.
Ensure the pot where you plant your sunflowers has ample drainage holes and that you use soil that is airy and not too dense.
Also, be wary of getting your foliage and stems wet when growing sunflowers in pots, as this can lead to fungus and bacteria that may compromise your plant.
Once your sunflower has reached a couple of feet in height, use a spray mister bottle to gently spritz the head or flower of the plant every couple of days.
Tips When Watering Sunflowers
- Sunflowers will need more water during flowering, approximately 45-85 days of their lifespan.
- Adjust the watering frequency to keep your sunflowers’ soil moist if you live in an area with a dry climate. If you live in a humid climate, you may need to reduce the irrigation frequency due to the natural moisture provided by nature.
- Try to avoid the flowers and leaves when watering your sunflowers. Ideally, water deep into the soil at the base of your sunflower’s stalk or stem.
- Remember that sunflowers have long and deep root systems, so allow ample room for their roots to spread underground when planning and planting your garden. If growing in pots, use a container deep enough to allow the roots to grow.
- It is best to water your sunflowers early in the morning and early in the evening as needed. It’s because if you water the sunflower during mid-day, it quickly evaporates before the roots can absorb it. Too late in the evening, the water sits in the soil and can cause wet roots and disease.
Frequently Asked Questions about How Often to Water Sunflowers
Are sunflowers easy to grow?
Sunflowers are easy to grow if the conditions are right, which includes ample sunlight and adequate water. Common problems with cultivating sunflowers include immature or smaller resulting blooms.
Are sunflowers drought-tolerant?
Sunflowers are drought-tolerant plants that will survive if you forget to water them occasionally or leave town for a few days. Don’t mistake a leaning, limp sunflower for being dead- water deeply and watch it come back to life!
How can you best care for sunflowers?
Best practices for growing sunflowers include sunlight and water and keeping a clean, weeded bed for your plants. This helps reduce pests and helps the plant absorb what it needs from the environment efficiently.
Where should you plant your sunflowers?
Sunflowers thrive in areas that get plenty of sun the entire day. For this reason, try to plant your flowers on the north side of your greenspace so they don’t shade other plants in the same area. The stalks are leggy and tall, so make sure you provide ample space for air circulation, too.
When should you prune and harvest sunflowers?
Depending on where you live, you should have sunflowers to harvest in early August. Prune your sunflower stalks before they bud in the spring, but only if they are a perennial sunflower variety. Do not prune annual sunflowers at all.
Conclusion
Sunflowers are a magnificent addition to any garden and the focal point of arrangements, bouquets, and centerpieces.
Use these tips to make sure you water your sunflowers adequately and care for them to cultivate healthy, hardy sunflowers of your own!
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.