How to Plant Sunflower Seeds in Pots

Children love to grow sunflowers.

Sunflowers can be a beautiful flower and are also a great vegetable. Sunflowers come in all different sizes and varieties, the largest growing to over 20 feet tall with flowers measuring over 2 feet wide. Kids love to plant giant sunflowers and watch them grow.

Things You'll Need

• Pots
• Planting soil
• Sunflower seeds
• Water

Instructions

1. Choose a pot to accomodate the size of sunflower(s) you plan to grow. There are a range of sunflowers from miniatures to giant, varying in height from 2 to over 10 feet. Ensure the pot is plenty big enough at the base to accomodate the roots.

2. Pour potting soil in the pot and add fertilizer. Rich dense soil is recommended so that as the sunflower grows, the soil can support its weight. Sandy soil doesn't give the roots enough to grab onto and the sunflower will topple.

3. Plant one seed per pot, unless you have a really big pot. The Gardener's Network says giants should be spaced 3 feet apart in rows that are 3 to 4 feet apart; regular and itermediate sizes should be spaced 2 feet apart in rows 3 feet apart, and miniatures 1 foot apart in rows 3 feet apart.

4. Water after planting and as needed. Once a week should be adequate--sunflowers like dryer soil.

5. Place the pot(s) in a location where there is plenty of sunlight and the flowers will have enough room to grow to full height. Most sunflowers require about 70 to 90 days till maturation, depending on the type. Check the seed package to determine growing time.

References

• The Gardeners Network: How to Grow Sunflower Seeds