Organic seeds

Mexican Sunflower

Tithonia rotundifolia

Product code : JAREC-0221

Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is a spectacular annual that instantly transforms the garden into a vibrant scene of color and movement. With its large, incandescent orange flowers atop vigorous stems, it creates a striking effect in flower beds, pollinator gardens, and country-style borders. Its dark green, slightly velvety foliage further enhances the brilliance of its summer bloom, which seems to literally capture the sunlight. Highly prized by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it plays a valuable role in garden biodiversity while offering a continuous show for many weeks.
4 49 $
Pay in 4 interest-free payments with Sezzle
Detailed plant guide
Québec product
Secure payment
Share
Quantity
About 40 seeds
Exposure
Sun
Life cycle
Annual

Discover the plant

Common nameMexican Sunflower
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusTithonia
Speciesrotundifolia
TypeAnnual flower
Botanical nameTithonia rotundifolia
Reproducible seedsYes

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia). The Mexican sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia is a spectacular annual that instantly transforms the garden into a vibrant scene of color and movement. With its large, incandescent orange flowers atop vigorous stems, it creates a striking effect in flowerbeds, pollinator gardens, and country-inspired plantings. Its dark green, slightly velvety foliage further enhances the brilliance of its summer bloom, which literally seems to capture the sunlight. Highly appreciated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it plays a valuable role in garden biodiversity while offering a continuous spectacle for many weeks.

Recommended sowing period: March to April. The depth should be 0.5 to 1 cm (1/4 to 3/8 in). Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. For germination, maintain the potting soil at 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F). Transplant young flowers when their true leaves have developed and their roots hold the root ball. Handle seedlings gently and avoid compressing the stem. Under lighting, gradually space out the containers so that the foliage does not overlap. Acclimatization then prepares the plants for sun, wind, and temperature variations.

Mexican sunflower (Tithonia) is cultivated for its vividly colored flowers. Give it enough space and harvest the stems carefully, as their structure bends more easily than a woody stem. Design the composition taking into account the mature habit and the distance from which the flowers will be observed. Small corollas benefit from being closer to a path, while a tall silhouette can serve as a landmark at the back of a bed. Repeat a few plants of the same variety to make the color legible. Maintain access for cuts and avoid crowding clumps just to fill the space immediately.

Tithonia Mexicain. Papillon orange et noir posé sur une fleur orange de tithonia. Le cadrage permet de voir les formes, les couleurs et les détails du sujet représenté. Les contours se détachent du fond de l’image, avec des différences de teinte et de texture visibles sur les surfaces. Cette vue accompagne la présentation du produit dans la boutique.

Sowing guide

It all startswith a seed.

Sowing depth

0.5 to 1 cm (1/4 to 3/8 in.)

Germination temperature

20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F)

Germination time

7 to 14 days

Sowing period

March to April

Propagation

Sowing

Growing method

Recommended sowing period: March to April. The sowing depth should be 0.5 to 1 cm (1/4 to 3/8 in). Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. For germination, maintain the potting mix at 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F). Transplant young flowers when their true leaves have developed and their roots hold the root ball together. Gently handle seedlings and avoid compressing the stem. Under lights, gradually space out containers to prevent foliage from overlapping. Acclimatization then prepares plants for sun, wind, and temperature variations. Planting out occurs when conditions match their hardiness. Observe the succession of buds, open flowers, and faded parts to choose appropriate interventions. Pruning should preserve shoots that will flower next. For tall-stemmed plants, check supports after a windy period. Light pruning helps maintain the silhouette without denuding it. Adapt end-of-season care to the plant's cycle: annuals and perennials do not require the same winter preparation. Choose between extending flowering and saving seeds on a few stems.

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Care level

Regular during establishment, then adapted to growing conditions

Watering

Moderate

Soil type

Light and well-drained

Fertilization

Fertilization supports growth and takes into account nutrients already present in the soil or potting mix. Use mature compost or a fertilizer suitable for the crop, following the dosage instructions. Avoid using too many products, especially in a container where the roots occupy a limited volume. Water as needed after application and observe the foliage development before re-fertilizing.

Moisture

Keep the soil moist during germination, without waterlogging; then adjust to the crop.

Seasonal care

Mexican sunflower Tithonia is cultivated for its brightly colored flowers. Give it enough space and pick the stems carefully, as their structure bends more easily than a woody stem. Transplant young flowers when their true leaves have developed and their roots hold the root ball. Handle seedlings gently and avoid compressing the stem. Under lighting, gradually space out the containers so that the foliage does not overlap. Acclimatization then prepares the plants for sun, wind, and temperature variations. Planting is done when conditions match their hardiness. Observe the succession of buds, open flowers, and withered parts to choose useful interventions. A cut must preserve the shoots that will flower next. For tall-stemmed plants, check the supports after a windy period. Light cleaning helps maintain the silhouette without stripping it. Adapt the end of the season to the plant's cycle: annuals and perennials do not require the same preparation for winter. Choose between prolonging flowering and keeping seeds on some stems. Removing spent flowers is suitable for many annuals, while capsules and dried inflorescences can have decorative interest. Keep plants identified when they are no longer bearing flowers and remove spontaneous seedlings that block a path. Mexican sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia is a spectacular annual that instantly transforms the garden into a vibrant scene of color and movement.

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Recommended pot size

Container that is perforated and stable, with sufficient width for the plant to spread out and enough depth for the roots
Choose this exposure: full sun. Reserve this spacing around the plant: 50 to 80 cm (20 to 31 in). A floral composition in a container must leave room for the growth of each plant. Place upright forms where they remain visible and allow trailing stems to occupy the edge when present. Ensure that the combined plants share the desired exposure and humidity. After a few weeks, observe the areas that are densifying and remove only damaged parts or stems that hinder the balance of the composition. The Mexican sunflower, *Tithonia rotundifolia*, is a spectacular annual that instantly transforms the garden into a vibrant scene of color and movement. With its large, incandescent orange flowers borne atop vigorous stems, it creates a striking effect in flowerbeds, pollinator gardens, and country-inspired mass plantings. Its dark green, slightly velvety foliage further enhances the brilliance of its summer bloom, which seems to literally capture the sunlight. Highly appreciated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it plays a valuable role in garden biodiversity while offering a continuous spectacle for many weeks.
Sachet de semences Tithonia Mexicain. Emballage blanc photographié de face sur un fond de bois brun. Une image du végétal occupe la partie centrale, sous le nom imprimé. De petits pictogrammes et un code-barres apparaissent au bas du sachet. La marque Écoumène figure dans la partie supérieure de cette présentation.

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft)

Width / spread

50 to 80 cm (20 to 31 in)

Foliage type

Seasonal foliage

Growth habit

Standing

Bloom period

July to October

Harvest

85 days after sowing
Tithonia Mexicain. Papillon orange et noir posé sur une fleur orange de tithonia. Le cadrage permet de voir les formes, les couleurs et les détails du sujet représenté. Les contours se détachent du fond de l’image, avec des différences de teinte et de texture visibles sur les surfaces. Cette vue accompagne la présentation du produit dans la boutique.

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

In a diversified plantation, you can reserve neighboring sections for these plants: sunflower, cosmos, zinnia. The association here serves to organize space and harvests. Respect the height, light, and water needs of each plant, without crowding the foliage. Maintain an aisle for watering and picking, then remove finished crops to free up space. This organization facilitates maintenance without promising protection against pests. Draw the composition taking into account the mature habit and the distance from which the flowers will be observed.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions,answered.

How to successfully sow Mexican Sunflower?
Recommended sowing period: March to April. Sow to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cm (1/4 to 3/8 in.). Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. For germination, maintain the potting soil at 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F). Transplant young flowers when their true leaves have developed and their roots hold the root ball. Handle seedlings gently and avoid compressing the stem. Under lighting, progressively space out the containers so that the foliage does not overlap. Acclimatization then prepares the plants for sun, wind, and temperature variations.
Can Mexican Tithonia be grown in a pot?
Choose this exposure: full sun. Reserve this spread around the plant: 50 to 80 cm (20 to 31 in). A floral container arrangement should allow room for each plant to grow. Place upright forms where they remain visible and let trailing stems occupy the edge when present. Ensure that the combined plants share the desired exposure and humidity. After a few weeks, observe areas that are becoming denser and remove only damaged parts or stems that disrupt the composition's balance. The Mexican sunflower, *Tithonia rotundifolia*, is a spectacular annual that instantly transforms the garden into a vibrant scene of color and movement.
How to care for Mexican Sunflower during the growing season?
Choose between prolonging the blooming period and keeping seeds on a few stems. Removing faded flowers is suitable for many annuals, while dried capsules and inflorescences can have decorative appeal. Keep plants identified when they no longer have flowers and remove self-seeded plants that are blocking a path. Observe the succession of buds, open flowers, and faded parts to choose the most useful interventions. Pruning should preserve shoots that will flower next. For tall-stemmed plants, check supports after a windy period. A light tidy-up helps maintain the plant's shape without stripping it bare.
How to enjoy Mexican Sunflower in the garden?
Mexican sunflower (Tithonia) is grown for its brightly colored flowers. Give it plenty of space and handle stems with care, as they bend more easily than woody stems. The Mexican Tithonia rotundifolia is a spectacular annual that instantly transforms any garden into a vibrant scene of color and movement. With its large, incandescent orange flowers atop vigorous stems, it creates a striking effect in flowerbeds, pollinator gardens, and country-style plantings. Its dark green, slightly velvety foliage further enhances the brilliance of its summer bloom, which literally seems to capture sunlight. Highly appreciated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it plays a valuable role in garden biodiversity while offering a continuous show for many weeks.
How to organize a Mexican Sunflower planting?
Draw the composition taking into account the mature habit and the distance from which the flowers will be observed. Small corollas benefit from being placed near a path, while a tall silhouette can serve as a landmark at the back of a bed. Repeat a few plants of the same variety to make the color legible. Keep access for cutting and avoid planting clumps too closely just to fill the space immediately. Observe the succession of buds, open flowers, and faded parts to choose useful interventions. A cut should preserve the shoots that will flower next. For plants with tall stems, check their supports after a windy period.

Wildlife and pets

Life,around your plants.

Supporting wildlife

Flowers can host pollinating insects during the season. Plant several plants in a sunny area accessible to visitors, then avoid treating open flowers. Keep some of the blooms in the garden if you also cut stems for bouquets.