Bring a sunflower house to your garden! Not only are sunflower towers a beautiful addition to your yard, but they’re also a fun way to introduce kids to gardening and attract birds. With their bright yellow petals and cheerful centers, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are guaranteed to bring sunshine to any outdoor space.
Why Build a Sunflower Tower
Sunflowers are among the happiest flowers you can plant, adding vibrant color to your garden borders or along fences. A sunflower tower creates a playful “living room” for children, a natural bird feeder, and even a source of healthy sunflower seeds you can eat!
If your yard gets plenty of sunlight and has well-draining soil, you’re ready to grow your own sunflower house.
Materials You’ll Need
- Sunflower seeds (choose varieties that grow at least 6 feet tall)
- Shovel
- Sticks or string (to mark the perimeter)
- Mulch or seedless straw
- Optional: morning glory seeds for a roof, corn for companion planting, white clover for a soft floor
Step-by-Step Instructions to Plant a Sunflower House
1. Choose the Perfect Spot
Select a flat area with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Make sure the soil is normal and drains well.
2. Mark Your Sunflower House
Decide on the shape: circular, square, rectangle, or even triangular. Make sure the structure is at least 8 feet across. Use sticks or string to outline the walls. Leave a 2-foot-wide gap for a doorway.
3. Prepare the Soil
Dig a trench along the perimeter, about 6–12 inches wide and 1 foot deep, removing weeds and rocks. Clear the inside area too, or cover it with cardboard and mulch to suppress weeds.
4. Plant the Sunflower Seeds
Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. For thicker walls, plant two rows with 1 foot between rows, staggering the seeds in the second row.
5. Water and Fertilize
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially when seedlings are small. Seeds typically sprout within a week in warm weather. Optional: use a liquid kelp and fish emulsion mix to fertilize as they grow.
6. Mulch and Maintain
Once seedlings have a few sets of leaves, gently apply mulch around the base to reduce weed growth. Sunflowers usually reach full height in 10–12 weeks.
Creative Ideas for Your Sunflower House
- Add a roof: Plant morning glory seeds among the sunflowers. As they climb, tie strings across the top for a natural flowering roof.
- Companion planting: Mix in corn or other tall plants for added structure and biodiversity.
- Soft flooring: Grow white clover inside for a lush, green carpet.
- Decorate: Add small chairs, a stone doorstep, or fairy garden accents.
Harvesting Sunflower Seeds
Once your sunflower seeds ripen, you can enjoy them yourself or leave them for birds. Sunflower seeds are a healthy snack, packed with vitamins and minerals.
See our Sunflower page to find out how to harvest and cook sunflower seeds.
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Hi, Bill. Morning glory is a common name for many plants. We are referencing the true morning glories, the annual ipomoea species. Annual morning glories are often mistaken for their perennial cousin, field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), which is an aggressive, invasive weed. Field bindweed—also called “perennial morning glory” or “creeping jenny”—grows similarly to annual morning glories, but sends out deep, deep roots, which make it very difficult to get rid of and allow it to overwinter in areas where cultivated morning glories could not. See our Morning Glory Growing Guide for more information.
If you have a crow population, that will be challenging. Generally, these birds are already in the area feeding on insects and weed seeds and then they just incorporate sunflower seeds into their diet when the sunflowers mature. Weed and insect control should begin early so your properly doesn't become their home and feeding place. Another option is mechanical frighteners that help shoo birds away.
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