How Much Water Do Sunflower Plants Need?

Sunflowers need frequent, light watering for optimal growth.

Sunflowers make cheerful additions to any flower garden, but watering them can be tricky. Their love of the sun and dry conditions means that they need meticulous watering and well-drained soil for optimal growth.

Watering

Growing sunflowers need approximately 0.15 inch of water a day, while fully-grown sunflowers need double that, according to horticulturalists at Kansas State University Cooperative Extension. While they are drought tolerant and prefer dry conditions, they can't withstand long dry spells.

Soil Drainage

To avoid rotting in too much water, sunflowers need to grow in well-drained soil. This allows gardeners to water them more frequently without having to worry about the plants becoming water logged.

Tips

Kansas State University recommends drip irrigation rather than overhead watering. Splashing water on the flowers can damage their petals. Frequent, light watering tends to promote growth most successfully. If leaves turn yellow or start to drop, it usually is a sign that they need more water.

References

• Kansas State University Cooperative Extension: Sunflowers
• North Carolina State University Cooperate Extension: Guide to Successful Pot Sunflower Production