What they do
Native sunflowers provide abundant nectar and pollen and create a busy, easy-to-spot pollinator hotspot.
Plant profile
Sunflowers
Genus Helianthus
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Sunflowers
Aliases
Sunflower
Native Range
Native to North America (species-dependent)
Bloom window
Mid-season through fall (varies by species)
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Native sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) are classic pollinator plants because they’re easy to notice, easy to enjoy, and often packed with flower activity. In a garden, they can act like a “beacon” that helps people spot bees and other insects up close.
If you’re planting for a schoolyard or community space, choose a sunny location where taller plants won’t block paths or signs. Many native sunflowers can grow quite tall, and some spread over time, which can be a plus in a habitat patch but a surprise in a small bed.
For the biggest impact, plant sunflowers with other native flowers that bloom earlier and later. That way, pollinators can find food across more of the season. After flowering, consider leaving some seed heads standing before you tidy up—this keeps the garden looking lively and can support wildlife interest into the cooler months.
Best role for pollinators
Pollinator patches, school gardens, sunny borders, and naturalized areas where you want bold color and lots of flower activity.FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Sunflower |
| Bloom window | Mid-season through fall (varies by species) |
| Typical height | Varies by species; from medium to very tall |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Flies, Beetles |
| Light & moisture | Best in sun; most do well in average garden moisture once established. |
| Best roles for pollinators | Pollinator patches, school gardens, sunny borders, and naturalized areas where you want bold color and lots of flower activity. |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Sun, room to grow, and a spot that isn’t constantly wet.
One best action
Plant them in the sun and let the seed heads stand for a while after bloom.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Native sunflowers are a dependable way to add lots of pollinator-friendly blooms with a big visual payoff, making them ideal for community and school gardens.
What looks like one “sunflower” is actually a whole cluster of tiny flowers working together in a single head.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Many small flowers packed into each head can keep pollinators visiting for a long time.
- Tall stems and sturdy leaves add structure to a pollinator garden and help it look full.
- Seed heads can be left to support wildlife and add seasonal interest.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Use these quick clues to recognize native sunflowers in the garden.
Leaves
Often rough-textured and slightly hairy; shape and arrangement vary by species, but many have toothed edges.
Flowers
Bright yellow rays around a central disk; each head contains many tiny flowers.
Fruits
Seeds develop in the center disk; heads dry and can be left standing.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Open sunny areas
- Meadows and field edges
- Prairie-like plantings
- Roadside-style sunny strips (in gardens, not in traffic areas)
Where it is often used
- Pollinator patch anchor plant
- Sunny border or back-of-bed height
- Naturalized meadow-style planting
- Schoolyard habitat garden
- Cut flowers (leave plenty of blooms for insects)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Native sunflowers are especially helpful when many early-season flowers are done.
Bloom Season Role: A strong mid-to-late season nectar and pollen source.
Seasonal benefits
- Keeps nectar and pollen available later in the growing season
- Adds bold color when other wildflowers fade
- Provides seed heads that can be left standing
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Choose the sunniest spot you have for the best flowering.
Soil type
Most garden soils work; avoid sites that stay soggy.
Moisture needs
Water to establish; after that, water during long dry spells, especially for container plants.
Planting method
Plant with enough space for airflow and mature width; taller types may need a sheltered spot from strong wind.
Mulching tips
Use a light mulch layer to reduce weeds, keeping mulch off the crown/stems.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains reasonably well.
- Loosen the soil and remove weeds where the plant will go.
- Plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot.
- Water in well, then keep evenly moist for the first few weeks.
- Add a simple label so you remember what’s planted and can protect it while weeding.
Seasonal care
- Stake taller plants if they lean in wind or shade.
- Deadhead some spent blooms to tidy the plant, but leave plenty of heads to form seeds.
- Cut back stems later, or leave some standing for seasonal interest and wildlife use.
- Divide or thin clumps if they get crowded over time (species-dependent).
What not to do
- Planting in shade and getting few blooms
- Soil stays wet and the plant struggles
- Cutting everything down right after flowering
- Spraying pesticides when leaves look chewed
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Wild lupine
- Columbine
- Golden alexanders
Mid-Season Bloom
- Bee balm
- Purple coneflower
- Blazing star
Late-Season Bloom
- Goldenrods
- Asters
- Joe-Pye weed
“Native sunflower” can mean many different Helianthus species. If you’re shopping, look for plants labeled as native to your area and ask for a local species when possible.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see on plant tags or garden signs:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Pollinators supported
Species that benefit from this plant
Bee flies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
View pollinator profile
Brushfoots
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
View pollinator profile
Bumble bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
View pollinator profile
Flower flies / hoverflies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
View pollinator profile
Hawk / sphinx moths
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
View pollinator profile
Leafcutter bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Mason bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Mining bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Paper wasps
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
View pollinator profile
Silkmoths (giant moths)
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
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Skippers
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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Small nectar moths (micro-moths)
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
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Soldier beetles
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
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Swallowtails
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Sweat bees
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
View pollinator profile
Whites & sulphurs
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
View pollinator profile
Regions
Where this plant is native
Image
Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland
The Lower Mainland & Puget Lowland is a busy, people-centered coastal lowland with rivers, shorelines, and patches of forest and meadow.
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Sierras of Jalisco and Michoacán with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a set of temperate mountain landscapes where conifer, oak, and mixed forests create layered habitat—from sunny edges and clearings to shaded understories.
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