Growing Sunflowers in Pots on Your Balcony or Patio

Everything you need to know about growing sunflowers in pots. Whether you’ve got a tiny balcony, patio, or back yard, you can still grow your own beautiful sunflowers! Planting instructions, what pot size to use, care tips, and what varieties to use for small balcony or patio gardens.

Growing Type

Annual

Planting Sunflowers

When growing sunflowers in pots you can get almost almost any size you want: from small dwarfs that grow to only 2 feet to giants reaching up to 12 feet in height or more.

The larger varieties will need larger containers, at least 3-5 gallons, but are at risk of toppling over if you are up high where there is a lot of wind. We recommend one of the small or medium varieties for balcony gardens, as they will be easier to manage.

To eliminate the guesswork in selecting the right size containers for your plants, we’ve put together a list of commonly grown herbs, veggies, fruit and flowers along with the minimum pot sizes required by each. [

Starting a container garden? Grab my free guide on choosing the best sized pots for each veggie, fruit, and herb in your container garden – Veggie Garden Potting Guide

Direct sow sunflower seeds from mid-April to late May, after the last spring frost date when soil temperatures have warmed. Smaller varieties will need a pot at least 15 cm (6″) in diameter. Plant seeds at least 15 cm (6″) apart, covering with 0.5 to 1 cm (1/4″-1/2″) of soil. Keep soil moist, and seeds should sprout in 10-14 days.

 

Watering Sunflowers

Water only when the top 1″ of soil is dry to the touch, as sunflowers are drought tolerant and do not grow well in waterlogged soil.

Because sunflowers grow so vigorously, they are heavy feeders that require nutrient-rich soil. When planting, you can work a granular slow-release fertilizer into the soil. Alternatively, fertilize occasionally (according to the directions given on your specific fertilizer) with an all purpose balanced liquid fertilizer.

 

Where Can I Grow It?

Growing sunflowers in pots is best done outdoors since most varieties get quite large. However you can grow smaller dwarf varieties inside as long as you have a nice sunny window or grow light.

As the name implies, sunflowers are sun lovers that require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight, so it is best to give them the sunniest location possible.

Sunflowers are susceptible to toppling over in the wind, so a sheltered location against a wall, or staking them for support is best.

 

Growing Tips for Growing Sunflowers in Pots

Sunflowers are ready for harvesting when the back of the flower has turned from green to yellow or brown. The flower head can then be cut at the base, and hung for further drying. When seeds are fully dry, they can be harvested for eating or planting.

Although the most common color is yellow, sunflowers range in color all the way from yellow, to orange, to red.

 

Growing Sunflowers in Pots With Companion Plants

Grow sunflowers along with tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers for beneficial effects.

Sunflowers are helpful to have in gardens as they prevent aphids from infesting the rest of your plants. Industrious ants will herd aphids onto the sunflower stalks, reducing the number of aphids elsewhere in the garden. Sunflowers are also great for keeping thrips away from your pepper plants.