Plants growing in shady areas may not bloom, will flop over, and might suffer from fungal diseases.
Good drainage is important to prevent problems like root rot.
Sandy or rocky soils more closely resemble the native soils of Mexico where the plants grow wild.
Common SunflowersSasa Pokimica/Getty Images
Temperature and Humidity
Mexican sunflowers love hot weather, even days with triple-digit temperatures.
Conversely, cool weather stops the Mexican sunflower in its tracks.
When nighttime temperatures are in the 60s, its the right time to grow Mexican sunflowers.
Average humidity is best for healthy plants.
Provide extra spacing for plants in humid areas toprevent powdery mildew.
Fertilizer
Mexican sunflowers grow just fine without any supplemental fertilizer.
For the amount, follow the product label instructions.
Keep in mind that you may sacrifice some blooms when pruning.
Unlike established Mexican sunflowers, this jot down of propagation requires daily watering to get the cuttings to root.
you’re able to start the seeds indoors or wait until the last frost has passed.
A gallon-pot is a good size for one sunflower.
Plant it in the center of the pot.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Snails andslugssometimes bother Mexican sunflowers, especially in rainy weather.
Place a piece of damp cardboard beside plants and collect the pests when they hide during daylight hours.
In fact, you might get better blooms from poor soil than you will from robust, nutrient-rich soil.
Sun is also a factor, as these plants need a lot of it.
What Do Mexican Sunflowers Look and Smell Like?
Mexican sunflower flowers look like large daisies with orange-red petals and a yellow center.
Each plant produces many flowers, which attract tons of pollinators, including butterflies.
They are not particularly fragrant but do have a light, sweet scent.
How to Encourage More Blooms
It’s critical that Mexican sunflowers receive full sunlight.
Otherwise, they will not grow as tall and offer as many blooms.
If growing in a spot that gets at least six hours of sun, these plants should bloom readily.
You may want to collect the developed flowers for their seeds.
Deadheading Mexican Sunflowers
Deadheading spent Mexican sunflowers can prolong blooming, but it’s not needed.
These low-maintenance plants will offer plentiful flowers through fall whether you deadhead them or not.
Grow the two sunflower plants at the back of the border for a visual and pollinator feast.
These flowers provide excellent nutrients to the garden.
Cut them down, chop up the stalks, and add them to your compost bin.
