Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)

Attract a world of butterflies, hummingbirds, bumble bees, and other pollinators to your garden with Tithonia. The deep red-orange hues of sunset-colored blooms draw in people too! Since he was a child, Truelove Seeds founder Owen Taylor grew these flowers along the perimeter of his garden to bring joy. Originating in Mexico and Central America, these tall, bushy plants are in the aster/sunflower family. Consider planting them as a hedge of velvety-leafed fiery-flowered beauty: each plant grows 6' tall and 4' wide!

Days to maturity: 85-90

Seeds per pack: 50

Germination rate: 90% on 01/26/2024

Planting / harvesting notes

Sow seeds directly in full sun, and thin to 2-4' apart, depending on how thick you'd like your hedge if growing many plants. This can be a finicky cut-flower as it has hollow stems - harvest very carefully and do not bend. This species is an annual in most of North America, but may self-sow in subsequent years.

Seed keeping notes

To harvest the seeds, cut the dried, browned flowers into a paper bag. Dislodge the seeds by breaking apart the seedheads/flowers. Use a strainer to sift out the larger chaff. Use your breath, wind, or fans to winnow off lighter weight chaff. Birds will likely start eating the seeds as they develop, so consider how much you'd like to leave for them, and how much you would like to save for yourself.