Can You Grow Sunflowers Indoors? [Yes! And Here’s How To!]

you’re able to not help but smile when looking up at a sunflower . These bright , sunny plants not only inspire joyousness , but sunflowers are incredibly useful because they are edible ! If you desire to grow sunflowers and have been wondering if you could mature helianthus indoors , we ’ve done the research to get the answer for you .

Yes ! you may develop helianthus indoors . Check out these helianthus varieties to add together a bit of sunshine to your home :

helianthus are low maintenance , tight - growing plants . Keep recitation , and we ’ll evidence you how to acquire the unbelievable , eatable sunflower indoors .

What Sunflowers Can I Grow Indoors?

sunflower turn in a variety of color and superlative , 70 species , to be precise . Most of these towering beauties are best grown alfresco . But several gnome and hybrid ( F1 ) species grow successfully planted in container indoors .

midget sunflower are of course smaller in industrial plant size because theycontain lower degree of growth internal secretion . In contrast , hybridsunflowers are bred for specific qualities , such as tiptop , color , and flower size .

Of course , you may grow any type of sunflower indoors , but the container size of it is probable to stunt the maximum growth of larger sunflower varieties . Here are several respectable pick of sunflower that will flourish indoors .

Sunny Smile

A hybrid helianthus , the sunny smile ( or macula ) , will brighten your house without dusting pollen atop the surface because it is pollen - free . The upbeat 2”- 5 ” bloom is a miniature of the classic gigantic motley , with yellow - orangeness petals around a black nerve center . gay grin sunflowers spring up between 6 ” and 20 ” tall count on the size of the pot ; large flowerpot boost growth .

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Teddy Bear

You will shortly see why this individual - stem helianthus is call Teddy Bear when golden , flossy blooms seem in just 5 - weeks after directly sowing seed . Teddy bear sunflower grow to stature between 24 ” to 36 ” tall , and bring out a 6 , ” pom - pom shaped bloom .

Firecracker

Another pollen - free crossbreed , the Firecracker , is a branching sunflower that explode with multiple , 4”-6 ” bi - colored , red - yellow flower . Great for produce indoors , this dwarf helianthus spring up to heights between 16 ” and 36 ” tall .

Sunrich Limoncello Summer

The eye - catching blossom of aSunrich Limoncello Summer Sunflowerhas bi - one-sided , pale scandalmongering petals that passage to darkened scandalmongering . Brightly colored , yellow rings at the brown centre go for your gaze on these 4 ” to 6 ” flower . Sunrich Limoncello Summer is hybrid , pollen - less sunflowers , with a individual - shank , that grow to heights between 48 ” to 60 ” tall .

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Ms. Mars

Radiant hues of sluttish pink , to merlot diffuse the flower petal of Ms. Mars heirloom sunflowers . These pretty blossoms set this branching helianthus aglow . At heights between 20 ” and 30 ” tall , Ms. Mars is a gravid choice for an indoor sunflower .

Lemon Queen Sunflower

The dainty , 4 ” - 6 ” bloom of the lemon queen sunflower has light-headed xanthous flower petal around a brownish center . A branching sunflower , the lemon queen produces hundreds of blooms on one plant that can grow up to 72 ” tall .

How Do You Care for Sunflowers Indoors?

It ’s fun to watch the quickly growing sunflower take figure , from a flat seeded germ to a vibrantly blooming bloom . helianthus are not fussy plants , so just a picayune care can keep these peak happily indoors .

Container Size

Select a container or pot , more or less 12 - in to 18 - column inch in diameter , that has drain holes and a water catchment tray at the bottom . sunflower have a sturdy tap root , and depending on the maximum height of the industrial plant , the base will want or so 2 - feet of depth to set up a unanimous radix . Fill the pot with permeable soil .

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Sowing Seeds

Plant one sunflower seed per potbelly , approximately 1 - column inch deeply into the territory . Keep the flock in a warm , cheery locating ; sprouting is successful when soil is between 55 ° F and 60 ° fluorine . Water day by day to keep the territory moist but not over - saturated . You should look the seed to sprout within 7 - 10 days of being planted .

Move the sprouted sunflower to a location that provides direct sunlight . carry on to irrigate new plants frequently , pouring water several inch from the stem ’s base , at the outskirts of the gage so as not to over - impregnate the taproot .

Growing Sunflowers

As the helianthus grow , stake taller plants to provide supererogatory living to the stem . Keep sunflowers in direct sunshine and water supply sparingly , once or twice per workweek . You do not need to fertilize sunflowers .

What are Sunflowers Used For?

As a flora that is native to North America , the sunflower is a natural food beginning for butterfly stroke , bees , hoot , and critters like squirrels and chipmunk . These flush will attract wildlife to your backyard garden . But , animate being are not the only I reap the benefits of the helianthus .

civilize as a food for thought reservoir , each part of the sunflower can be safely eaten by human . cookery oil is produced as a byproduct of the sunflower ’s seeds .

Gathered sunflowers also create a beautiful redolence , either solo or arranged with other bloom species .

Harvesting Sunflowers to Eat

Sunflower sprout , petals , leaves , and stem can be eaten either unsanded or cooked . The head of the flower can be prepare similarly to an artichoke and has a similar flavor .

at last , the long - wait come can be harvested at the ending of the helianthus ’s annual lifespan to be eaten either cutting or cooked .

Harvesting Sunflowers for Bouquets

If you plan to make a sweetness from your helianthus , cut the shank betimes in the day to prevent the flower from wilt . prize flower just before the flower ’s bud has altogether opened , so the center is not yet exposed . Cut the root word at a 45 - degree angle and submerge the stems in lukewarm water as soon as possible after foreshorten .

Sunflowers will remain robust in a vase for up to 1 - workweek , provided the nosegay is kept in bright , indirect sunlight , and water is changed day by day .

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds

Once you find the peak chief set about to wilt , you could trend the efflorescence to reap the germ . Cut just below the cornerstone of the flush forefront . Either lie the peak head out on a clear surface or hang to dry . The petals and foliage will become yellow , and die . The plump seed will become free .

To remove seeds you could :

As you remove the seeds , gather seeds into a bowl , or atop a white towel . allow seeds dry out totally before storing in an airtight container .

Where Do You Put Sunflowers Indoors?

Did you know that sunflower are heliotropic works ? This mean that the flower slowly turns its head toward the guidance of the sunlight . Sunflowers prefer unmediated sunlight , so it is best to put them in a location that gets6 to 8 minute of sunlight per mean solar day .

sincerely a summer peak , sunflowers prefer lovesome conditions for optimal growth . Put your sunflower in a location that has daytime temperature between 70 - 80 ° F and nighttime temperatures between 55 - 60 ° F .

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How Much Does a Sunflower Grow in a Week?

The life cycle of a sunflower is close to 18 - weeks ( or four months ) . Depending on the kind , helianthus reach full maturitybetween 80 and 120 days . heyday develop by workweek 10 , and vibrant flowers bloom through week 14 . As seeds develop , flush wilt , and the life cycle end . Sunflowers are annual plants , so new source must be planted each class .

You now sleep with how to care for sunflowers indoors , and have several effulgent varieties to choose from . come out growing and enjoy your little slice of sunlight !

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