Strawberry Blonde Sunflower

10 Seeds

Strawberry Blonde Sunflower is a stunning ornamental sunflower variety that produces medium-sized flowers with unique petals in shades of soft pink, rose, strawberry, cream, and golden-yellow surrounding a dark chocolate center. It attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent addition to flower gardens. The plants also make outstanding cut flowers. This annual sunflower thrives in the Gulf when grown during the cooler season with full sun and well-drained soil.

Best Planting Time

• October to February (recommended)
• Late September in cooler Gulf regions.
• Avoid sowing during the hottest summer months.

Seed Preparation

• No soaking is required.
• Optional: Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 2–4 hours before planting to speed up germination.
• No cold stratification is needed.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Garden soil
• 30% Compost
• 20% Coco peat
• 10% Perlite or coarse sand

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–7.5

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds directly where the plants will grow, as sunflowers dislike root disturbance.
• Plant seeds 2–3 cm deep.
• Place 1–2 seeds per hole.
• Thin to the strongest seedling after germination.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 20–28°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 18–30°C
• Requires 6–8 hours (preferably 8+ hours) of direct sunlight daily.

Watering

• Keep the soil lightly moist during germination.
• Water deeply when the top 3–5 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Once established, sunflowers are fairly drought tolerant but bloom best with regular watering.
• Avoid waterlogged soil.

Germination Time

• 7–10 days

Plant Spacing

• 35–45 cm between plants.
• 60–75 cm between rows.

Flowering

• Blooms approximately 60–75 days after sowing.
• Remove faded flowers to encourage additional blooms where applicable.
• Excellent for fresh bouquets and attracting beneficial insects.

Fertilization

• Mix compost into the soil before planting.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during active growth.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaves instead of flowers.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Plant during the cooler months for the healthiest growth.
• Provide support stakes if plants are exposed to strong winds.
• Apply organic mulch to keep roots cool and conserve moisture.
• Ensure good air circulation between plants.
• Monitor for aphids, caterpillars, birds feeding on seeds, and powdery mildew.
• Strawberry Blonde Sunflower grows beautifully in flower beds, borders, large containers, and pollinator gardens throughout the Gulf.