Sunflower, Mexican Red

Warm weather annual that is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants thrive in summer heat. Plants tolerate poor soils. Avoid rich soils which tend to produce weak-stemmed plants with excess foliage. Purchase new plants in six packs in spring. Plants may also be grown from seed sown directly in the garden at last frost date or, for earlier bloom, started indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Thin plants to at least 2’ apart. Plants appreciate staking or other support. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom period. Noteworthy Characteristics Tithonia rotundifolia, commonly called Mexican sunflower, is native to Mexico and Central America. It is a vigorous annual that typically grows in a single season to 4-6’ tall. Showy sunflowers (to 3” across) with orange to orange-red rays and orange-yellow disks bloom from mid-summer to fall. Entire or lobed dark green leaves (3-12” long) with hairy undersides are generally ovate to triangular in shape with serrate to crenate margins. Good cut flower.