Sunflower - Helianthus - Outdoor Flowering Plant

🌻Why You’ll Love It

✔Massive, Cheerful Blooms– Huge, iconic flowers that follow the sun.
✔Fastest Growing Flower– Go from seed to giant bloom in just 8-12 weeks.
✔Thrives in UAE Sun– Loves and demands full, direct sunlight.
✔Drought-Tolerant– Once established, it handles heat with minimal fuss.
✔Pollinator Magnet– Attracts bees and birds to your garden.

🌿 Growth & Appearance

• Varieties: Choose from towering giants (3m+), medium-sized bouquets, or dwarf pot-friendly types.
• Height: 50cm – 3m+ (check variety for your space!).
• Flower: Large daisy-like flower with a dark central disc and bright yellow (or red, orange, bronze) petals.
• Foliage: Large, coarse, heart-shaped leaves on a sturdy, hairy stem.

🏆 Survival Superpowers

• Heliotropism: Young flower buds track the sun from east to west each day!
• Speed Demon: Incredibly fast growth provides instant gratification.

☀️ Light & Location

• Best: Full, Direct Sun (Minimum 6-8 hours of brutal Dubai sun is mandatory).
• Tolerates: Nothing less. Full sun is non-negotiable for strong stems and big blooms.
• Avoid: Any shade whatsoever (will become leggy, weak, and won't flower well).

💦 Watering

• Germination: Keep soil consistently moist until seeds sprout.
• Established Plants: Water deeply every 2-3 days. They have deep roots and prefer a good soak over frequent sprinkles.
• Pots: Will need watering more frequently, even daily in summer heat.

🌡️ Climate Tips

• Ideal Season: Plant from October to February for the best results. They love UAE winters.
• Wind: Tall varieties need a sheltered spot or staking to avoid being knocked over by shamal winds.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining ground. Amend heavy soil with compost.

✂️ Maintenance

• Support: Stake giant varieties early to avoid toppling.
• Deadhead: Remove spent flowers to encourage side shoots (on branching varieties) or to save seeds.
• Pests: Watch for caterpillars and birds. Use netting if needed.

🚀 Pro Tips for UAE Gardeners

• Plant Directly: Sow seeds directly in the ground or final pot; they hate having their roots disturbed.
• Not Blooming? Almost always not enough sun → find a sunnier location.
• Harvesting: Let the flower head droop and dry on the stem to harvest seeds for roasting or for next year's planting.