Sunflower

Basic Information

Seed Number

64

Seed Name

Sunflower

Variety

Teddy Bear

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Dwarf double 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

7–10 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

60°F+

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

6-12 in

Row Spacing

18-24 in

Thin-To Spacing

6-12 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun; 6-8+ hours/day

Water Needs

Water regularly during establishment and flowering; do not keep soil waterlogged

Soil Preference

Well-drained soil; pH approximately 6.0-6.8

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

24-36 in

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

Companion Planting

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 is approximately 60°F or warmer. Teddy Bear's compact size makes it especially useful for containers and smaller beds.
Germination: Plant about 1 inch deep. Germination generally occurs in 7-10 days.
Harvest: Harvest for bouquets when the double blooms are opening but still firm. Cutting can encourage development of additional flowers on branching plants.
Seed Saving: Allow selected mature flower heads to dry. Nearby annual sunflowers may cross through insect pollination.
Special Care: Teddy Bear produces dense, fluffy, double golden flowers and grows much shorter than giant sunflower types.
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/products/sunflower-dwarf-teddy-bear-seeds — Helianthus annuus identity, 24-36 inch height, multiple flowers and cut-flower suitability
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/sunflowers — 7-10 day germination, sowing depth, dwarf sunflower spacing and soil
Research Source: Oregon State University Extension — https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/em-9866-grow-your-own-sunflowers — full-sun requirement, drainage and watering
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]