Sunflower care
The sunflower is high summer in a single stem — a broad golden face on a strong, thirsty stalk. Bold, cheerful and unmistakable, it asks for plenty of water and a vase with the strength to hold its weight.
Season
June–October
Vase life
Long
Sourcing
Direct from growers
Difficulty
Easy
How to care for them
Re-cut the thick stem at a sharp angle. Strip the lower leaves, which are large and spoil the water quickly. Use a sturdy vase with plenty of cool water — sunflowers are heavy-headed and thirsty.
Top the water up daily — sunflowers drink heavily through their thick stems. Refresh fully every two days; the big leaves cloud the water faster than most. Keep the vase stable, as the heads are weighty.
If a head droops on its stem, it has usually run dry or the stem has softened. Re-cut higher up to firm stem, refresh with cool water, and support the head until it firms up. Most recover.
Common questions
A long display with the right care — sunflowers are robust, lasting well when kept in plenty of fresh cool water with the lower leaves stripped. Every order carries our Stem freshness promise.
Their heads are heavy and their thick stems drink fast, so a drooping head usually means the vase has run low or the stem has softened. Use a sturdy vase, keep it well topped up, and re-cut to firm stem if a head flags.
Young sunflowers track the sun in the field (heliotropism), but mature cut stems mostly hold their position. Indoors they may lean gently toward the brightest window — rotate the vase for a balanced display.
Beyond the classic golden yellow, there are deep mahogany-red, bronze, pale lemon and bicolour varieties. The studio selects by what the season offers, with the warm golds at their peak in late summer.
Sunflowers are a high-summer-to-autumn flower, at their best roughly June to October. We source direct from growers to carry the strongest stems through the season.
Many modern florist varieties are bred to be pollen-free or low-pollen, which keeps surfaces and clothing clean. The studio favours these for arrangements; mention it if it matters for the recipient.
Sunflowers are not listed as toxic to cats or dogs — among the safer cheerful flowers for pet households. As with any cut flower, do not encourage pets to chew the stems.
Pairs beautifully with
