Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) Seeds
- Heat-loving annual with vibrant orange-red blooms and strong visual impact in borders.
- Open-pollinated seed – Seed packet containing approx. 50 seeds.
- A popular pollinator magnet for bees, bumblebees and butterflies – well suited to sunny, sheltered positions.
€2.79
Description
Mexican Sunflower – Bright Orange-Red Summer Flower from Mexico with Intense Bloom Colour
The Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is a heat-loving annual from Mexico and Central America. Cultivated since the 18th century as an ornamental plant, it is admired for its exceptionally vibrant flower colours. The plants grow upright with a bushy habit and reach between 80 and 160 cm in height depending on the variety – some even taller.
Its large, scarlet to orange-red daisy-like blooms with golden-yellow centres appear from July and continue flowering into autumn. They are known as true pollinator magnets, attracting bees, bumblebees and butterflies in great numbers. Mexican sunflowers also make excellent backdrop plants in summer borders and add bold colour as cut flowers.
Plant profile
| Plant type | Container plant, Summer flower |
|---|---|
| Use | Container plant, Cut flower, Good insect food plant, Ornamental plant |
| Lifecycle | Annual |
| Species | Asteraceae |
| Seed propagation | konventionell |
| Region of origin | Central America, Mexico |
| Characteristics | Drought tolerant, Food for bees, Needs light to germinate, Not winter-hardy |
| Eventual height | 80-120 cm |
| Flower colour | Orange |
| Flowering months | August, July, October, September |
| Root system | Heart roots |
| Winter hardiness zones | 11 (4 bis 10 °C) |
Growing instructions
| When to sow outdoors | June, May |
|---|---|
| Sowing depth | 0 cm |
| Germination temperature | 18-24° C |
| Germination time | 2-3 weeks |
| Climate | Dry, Temperate |
| Soil type | Low in chalk |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Water requirement | Medium, No waterlogging |
| Planting distance | 40 cm |
| Good companion plants | Cosmos, Marigold, Zinnia |
Sowing and care
Sowing and Caring for Mexican Sunflower
Sow indoors from late March at around 18–20 °C. Tithonia is a light-dependent germinator, so the seeds should be only lightly covered with soil and kept evenly moist. Young plants can be planted out after the last frosts in late spring.
A sunny, warm and sheltered spot with loose, nutrient-rich soil promotes strong growth and abundant flowering. Regular watering is important, but waterlogging should be avoided. Taller varieties benefit from early staking.
Other names
Botanical name: Tithonia rotundifolia
German: Mexikanische Sonnenblume, Tithonie, Fackelblume
English: Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia
French: Tournesol du Mexique, Tithonie
Italian: Girasole messicano, Tithonia
Spanish: Girasol mexicano, Tithonia
Dutch: Mexicaanse zonnebloem, Tithonia
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