Sunflower
Seed # 114
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 114
- Seed Name
- Sunflower
- Variety
- Chocolate Cherry
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant Type
- Branching heirloom sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- May 6
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jul 15
- Plantable Months
- May, June, July
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- May 6 – Jul 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 7–14 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- 65–75 days to bloom
- Succession Planting
- 14 days
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 60-75°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/2 in
- Plant Spacing
- 16 in
- Row Spacing
- 24-36 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 16 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun; 8-12 hours/day
- Water Needs
- Regular moderate watering; keep evenly moist during establishment and prolonged dry weather
- Soil Preference
- Rich, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter
- Minimum Container Size
- 10 gal
- Plant Height
- 6-7 ft
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Annual
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- Yes
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Cut Flower Pollinator Seed SavingCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Corn | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Cucumber | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Pumpkin | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Squash | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Watermelon | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 10 – Jul 10
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–100 days to bloom
Container Friendly: Dwarf yes; giants need ground/large pots
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Seeds useful; pollinator support
Succession / Reusable Notes: Succession sow for blooms. Tall types need wind protection.
Zone 6B Notes: Direct sow after frost.
Companion Plants: Cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, melons, corn, pollinator flowers, clover
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes; may shade small crops
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Direct sow after frost once soil warms. Its 65-75 day bloom time permits succession sowings through mid-July in Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Germinates in approximately 7-14 days. Sow 1/2 inch deep in soil around 60-75°F.
Harvest: Harvest branching stems as blooms begin opening for cut flowers. Mature seed is edible and can also be collected after heads dry.
Seed Saving: Allow heads to brown and dry before collecting seed. Helianthus annuus varieties cross readily with nearby annual sunflowers.
Special Care: Plants produce branching 6-7 foot growth and 5-8 inch flowers ranging from dark burgundy and chocolate tones to nearly black. Some off-color blooms can occur naturally.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/sunflower-chocolate-cherry — Helianthus annuus identity, 6-7 foot height, 65-75 day maturity, 7-14 day germination, depth, spacing, soil, water, cut-flower use and seed saving
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]