Various growth types of the sunflower are suitable for the bed, the balcony or as a potted plant on the table. We show what needs to be considered.

Sunflowers bring the sun into the garden, on the balcony or on the windowsill

Large sunflowers (Helianthus) swaying in the wind on the edge of a golden shimmering wheat field are the epitome of rural summer idyll. No wonder that many gardens are peppered with the bright yellow flowers from June to October. However, if you thought that a large bed was a prerequisite for the sunny blooms, you were far from it. Varieties that stay small are ideal for planting in pots and also thrive on balconies and windowsills.

Planting sunflowers in pots

Smaller types of sunflowers also do well in pots. So you can also enjoy the plants outside of a garden. Choose a large and sturdy pot with a drainage hole for planting, because sunflowers form strong and deep roots. When planting a sunflower in a pot, proceed as follows:

  • Clean the pot well
  • Lay out a drainage layer made of potsherds or gravel
  • Plant only one sunflower per pot
  • Fill the pot with substrate
  • Place pot on saucer
  • Water well
One sunflower per pot is ideal

You can find out how to care for your sunflower in a pot so that it blooms for a particularly long time in our special article.

Sunflowers: the right pot size

The size of the chosen pot has a significant influence on the final height of the sunflower. The bigger and deeper the pot, the bigger the sunflower can grow. Also use pots with a diameter of at least 30 to (preferably) even 40 centimeters for small varieties. Larger varieties need slightly larger pots with a volume of at least 18 liters. Since the plants mainly grow towards the sun, we recommend a heavy clay pot that cannot be knocked over so easily, even in the wind.

Sunflowers: The right substrate

Sunflowers grow in pretty much any garden soil. In too dry andIn nutrient-poor soils, however, the growth height and the flowering will be smaller and less conspicuous, because the sunflower has a high nutrient requirement. Compared to other plants, nitrogen is less in demand in sunflowers, but potassium and phosphorus are all the more important. The lack of trace nutrients, especially boron, can quickly become a growth-limiting factor in normal potting soil. An optimal basis for good growth is compost or compost soil such as our Plantura organic compost soil. Tested quality composts, which are also processed in our organic soil, contain numerous trace nutrients and many phosphorus compounds, which is quite different from conventional peat soils. In addition, as a recycling product, compost is more environmentally friendly and saves around 30% CO2 in direct comparison to peat soil.

In the garden soil, planting in compost soil is sufficient, but stock fertilization is advisable, especially in small-sized pots. Use our Plantura organic flower fertilizer for this, for example. This meets the needs of sunny plants very well. To ensure a long-term supply of nutrients, 150 grams of our fertilizer should be mixed directly into the soil when planting in tubs.

Prepare sunflowers in the pot

You can grow sunflowers both in the garden and in pots. For this purpose, several seeds are sown in a pot with potting soil in late spring. The drainage hole must not be missing here, otherwise the seeds will quickly become moldy. Since not all seeds will germinate, more seeds should be sown than will be needed later. The seeds are planted about two centimeters deep in the ground, because sunflowers belong to the dark germs. Always keep the soil moist. After about a week, but after two at the latest, the first seedlings should be visible. Make sure there is a distance of about ten centimeters between the seedlings. Discard weak or malformed seedlings. Even at this tender age, sunflowers need an impressive amount of water. Therefore, make sure that the substrate in the pot is always moist. Finally, when the seedlings are large enough, they can be separated.

The seedlings can be pre-grown

Planting sunflowers in the bed: procedure in 6 steps

Sun worshipers feel most comfortable in full sun, warm and sheltered from the wind. The soil should be moist, humus and loose, because sunflowers need a lot of nutrients andare sensitive to waterlogging. Once the perfect spot has been found in the bed, the small sunflowers are planted in the bed in mid-May as follows:

  1. Planting hole: twice the size of the root ball
  2. Planting distance: 50 cm
  3. Mix in the excavated earth compost or our organic compost soil
  4. Put sunflowers in planting hole
  5. Fill the planting hole with soil mix
  6. Press the soil lightly and water it vigorously
In the case of low-growing varieties, the planting distance can also be smaller

Sand is mixed into heavy soil to loosen it. Never simply rip faded sunflowers out of the ground. If the plants become unsightly, they are cut off just above the ground. The roots remaining in the soil then rot. This loosens the soil and releases nutrients.

Sunflowers on the balcony

Larger varieties can also be accommodated in tubs on the balcony. However, this must be correspondingly large. Use pots with a volume of at least 18 to 20 liters. Alternatively, the plants can also be placed in a flower box. Otherwise, the procedure for planting is the same as for the planting in pots mentioned above.

Sunflowers on the balcony are planted like sunflowers in pots

If you are still looking for some inspiration, we will introduce you to the most beautiful types of sunflowers in our special article.

Category:

Garden Design