Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

Perennial Sunflowers: How to Grow Sunflowers That Come Back Every Year

Closeup of bright yellow Woodland Sunflower with lots of sunflowers in the background

Perennial woodland sunflowers bloom in late summer and fall, returning year after year in sunny gardens.

Photo Credit
Dan4Earth
Botanical Name
Helianthus spp.
Plant Type
Perennial Flowers
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Part Sun
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Fall
Flower Color
Yellow
Hardiness Zone
4
5
6
7
8
9
Special Features
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Songbirds
Attracts Bees
Attracts Pollinators

Sunflowers that don’t need replanting and attract pollinators

Written By: Lauren Landers Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Annual sunflowers are easy to love with their sunny disposition, bright yellow blooms, and edible seedheads that can be harvested for people or left for birds to munch on. But if you adore sunflowers and don’t want to replant them every spring, there’s another option: perennial sunflowers.

Native perennial sunflowers are just as pretty as annual sunflowers, but they’re even easier to care for—and they come back year after year even in cold climates. I grow perennial sunflowers in my wildlife garden to attract pollinators and wild birds, but you’ll find even more reasons to keep them and how to grow them right here in this guide. 

Yellow flowers of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) growing in a summer garden
Jerusalem artichoke is a type of perennial sunflower grown for both its bright blooms and edible tubers. Credit: Kazakov Maksim

About Perennial Sunflower Plants

Both perennial and annual sunflowers belong to the aster family, and most are native to North and Central America. More than 30 species of perennial sunflowers are native to the central and eastern United States, where they grow naturally along sunny roadsides, in prairies, rocky woodlands, and across the Great Plains.

At first glance, many of these sunflowers look very similar, but their flowers and leaves can vary in size and color, and their leaves may branch out differently on the plant’s slender stems.

Compared to annual sunflowers, perennial sunflower blooms and seeds are usually smaller. However, perennial plants often flower more abundantly, with blooms that can last 8 to 12 weeks from late summer into fall. Like annual sunflowers, they attract bees, birds, and other pollinators—and they also make excellent cut flowers.

I like to grow perennial sunflowers in a patch in my wildlife garden, but they fit right into cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and lots of other planting designs. Some species can be invasive in some areas, so it’s wise to choose a variety that’s native to your location. Once established, perennial sunflowers are drought-tolerant and hardy, and they may stretch between 2 and 10 feet tall depending on the species you decide to plant.

Read Next

Planting

Perennial sunflowers are most often grown from seed, although you may occasionally find potted plants at local nurseries. Because these plants don’t like being moved once established, it’s best to direct sow seeds in the garden and choose a planting spot carefully so you won’t need to transplant them later.

When to Plant Perennial Sunflowers

Perennial sunflower seeds can be planted in spring or fall, depending on the type you’re growing.

  • Varieties that are native to warm areas can be directly sown in the garden after your last frost date of spring.
  • Others—which are native to colder areas—need a period of cold exposure before they can sprout. This can be done naturally by sowing seeds outdoors in late fall. Or, you can cold-stratify your seeds in your refrigerator for about a month, then plant them in pots 6 to 10 weeks before your last frost date.

How to Plant Perennial Sunflowers

To direct sow seeds in spring:

  1. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches, and mix in compost or other organic matter.
  2. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep, space individual seeds 12 to 18 inches apart.
  3. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
  4. If birds or rodents are a problem, cover the area with chicken wire until seedlings emrge.

To direct sow seeds in fall:

  1. Follow the above planting tips. Just prep your soil before the ground freezes.
  2. Plant seeds after your garden has experienced one or two light frosts.
  3. Seeds will overwinter naturally and sprout in spring.

To cold stratify seeds indoors (for cold-hardy varieties):

When planted in spring, perennial sunflowers may bloom in fall or during the following growing season. Fall planting often speeds things up and can result in earlier flowering the next year.

Growing

Perennial sunflowers are low-maintenance plants once established, but a few simple practices will help them grow stronger, bloom longer, and stay upright.

Tall varieties make excellent backdrop plants in mixed flower beds, while shorter types work well along garden borders. I find perennial sunflowers look best when planted in small groups or patches, where their slender stems and many blooms create a fuller effect.

Because some species can grow quite tall, staking may be needed in windy sites. I also keep stems from flopping by growing sunflowers near fences, walls, or other tall plants that offer natural support.

I like to grow perennial sunflowers with other plants that have similar care needs. Native companions such as blue flag iris, mountain mint, and butterfly weed work especially well, but these sunflowers also pair nicely with non-native favorites like dahlias and salvias.

Although perennial sunflowers don’t thrive in containers, I’ve found you can limit their spread by growing them in raised beds or areas where their underground rhizomes are naturally contained.

To keep plants vigorous:

  • Water young plants regularly during their first growing season; once established, they’re drought tolerant.
  • Avoid rich soil or heavy fertilizer, which can lead to floppy stems.
  • Thin crowded clumps every few years to improve airflow and flowering.

Water
Young plants should be watered regularly while establishing, but mature plants are generally drought-tolerant and only need to be watered during periods of prolonged dry weather. Species like the swamp sunflower require more regular watering and are ideal for poorly draining locations that stay damp.
Light
The amount of sunlight perennial sunflowers require depends on the variety. Most species grow and flower best in full sun locations and are less likely to develop fungal problems in sunny areas. However, the woodland sunflower and other shade-tolerant species can thrive in partial shade.
Humidity
High humidity can increase the risk of fungal problems in sunflowers. This is especially true if these plants are grown too closely together.
Temperature
Perennial sunflowers are tolerant of hot and cold temperatures and should not need any help overwintering as long as you select a variety that’s native to your growing region.
Fertilizer
Adding compost to the soil before planting native sunflowers can help them flower better. You can also apply an annual layer of compost over the soil in spring or fall, or lightly fertilize your plants with a low nitrogen, organic granular fertilizer. Just keep in mind these plants will develop floppy stems in overly rich soil.
Toxicity
Sunflowers of all sorts are non-toxic.

Types

All perennial sunflowers produce cheery, daisy-like blooms, but their flower color, leaf shape, and other characteristics can vary slightly.

  • Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus): Pictured at the top of this page, the woodland sunflower is a good choice for shade gardens. Native to the Eastern and Central United States, it grows in full sun to part shade.
  • Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus): Most growers cultivate Jerusalem artichokes for their edible roots, which can be roasted or boiled just like potatoes. These plants also produce yellow flowers and are native to the Americas, but can be invasive outside their native range.
Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) with yellow flowers blooming in a summer garden
Perennial sunflowers like Jerusalem artichoke bloom freely in midsummer gardens. Credit :Irena Socratous
  • Prairie Sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus): Native to the Great Plains and other parts of Central and Western North America, prairie sunflowers require full sun and grow between 2 and 6-feet tall.
Prairie sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus) with bright yellow blooms in full sun
Prairie sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus), a hardy perennial native to North America. Credit: Kolinchev Andrii
  • Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius): For rain gardens, swamp sunflowers are one of your best bets. These plants tolerate more moisture than most and are native to the Eastern and Southern United States.
Narrowleaf swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) with narrow leaves and yellow flowers
Narrowleaf swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) thrives in moist soil and blooms in late summer and fall. Credit: Dan4Earth

Harvesting

Perennial sunflowers aren’t typically grown for large seed harvests like annual sunflowers. Their flowers and seed heads are smaller, and most gardeners grow them for their long bloom time and wildlife value rather than for edible seeds.

Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

Perennial sunflowers are hardier than annual varieties, but they can still sometimes develop problems with:

Propagation

Most perennial sunflowers are relatively short-lived, with individual plants living about 3 to 5 years. However, you can keep patches of native sunflowers growing for much longer by propagating them from seed or by dividing established plants.

Propagating From Seed

  1. Leave dried flowerheads on your plants to allow them to self-sow naturally, or cut flowerheads before seeds drop and place them upside-down in an open paper bag indoors.
  2. Allow the flowers dry for another week or two. Then rub the seedheads to release the seeds.
  3. Let the seeds dry on a tray for a few more days.
  4. Store dried seeds over winter in labeled paper envelopes.

If you are worried about birds eating the seeds before you harvest them, cover flowerheads with paper bags as seeds begin to ripen.

Propagating by Division

  1. Gently dig up your plants in early spring—just as they begin to produce new growth.
  2. Divide the rhizomes with a sharp knife or spade so that each section has healthy roots and stems.
  3. Replant divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing, and water well.

Dividing every 3 years helps maintain plant health and prevents overcrowding.

Seasonal Care
Cutting native sunflower stems back by 2/3 in spring and making your pruning cuts at a leaf node can help these plants flower more abundantly and keep stems from flopping over. Otherwise, you may need to stake tall species as they mature to keep their stems upright.

Deadheading native sunflowers before they go to seed in fall will also limit their ability to spread. However, if you leave the dried flowerheads intact through winter, they’ll draw in winter birds!

Wit and Wisdom

  • Although they both belong to the Aster family, Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia) are not closely related to perennial native sunflowers.
  • The Latin name for sunflowers comes from the Greek words “Helios” for sun and “Anthos” for flowers, and refers to the sunflower’s deep love for sunshine!

Flowers
About The Author
Lauren Landers

Lauren Landers

Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Lauren is a gardener, writer, and public speaker with over a decade of experience helping others learn about gardening, homesteading, and sustainable living.She combines years of practical gardening a...
Read More from Lauren Landers

More Like This

Comments