Growing sunflowers in your landscape provides big yellow blooms that simply shout summer. Birds love the seeds on the mature plants, so you can use it as part of a garden plot that you plant to get birds, bees, and other pollinators. Do sunflowers transplant well though and should you move them at all? Read on to learn more.
Sunflowers are a classic summertime flower that will quickly grow from seedling to towering plant Starting sunflowers indoors gives you a head start on the season. But timing is key when it comes to transplanting sunflower seedlings into the garden Move them at the right stage and you’ll set them up for success. Transplant too early or late and you risk stunting your sunflowers. This complete transplanting guide covers everything you need to know about when and how to move your seedlings for maximum growth and the prettiest blooms.
Why Start Sunflowers Indoors?
While you can certainly direct sow sunflower seeds into the garden once danger of frost has passed there are some good reasons to get a jumpstart by starting them indoors
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You can grow sunflowers in cooler climates with a shorter outdoor growing season. The head start extends their time to mature and flower.
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Starting seeds inside protects vulnerable seedlings from late frosts heavy rains animal pests, and other hazards.
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You can pre-sprout seeds to test their viability before planting in the garden.
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Indoor conditions are ideal for germinating seeds and producing stocky, healthy seedlings.
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It allows you to plant seedlings outside on your schedule rather than waiting weeks for nature’s ideal sowing window.
As long as you properly harden off and transplant sunflower seedlings at the right time, you’ll have great success getting an earlier start on these iconic flowers.
How to Know When to Transplant Seedlings
Transplanting too early is one of the most common mistakes when growing sunflowers. It helps to understand what an ideal seedling looks like before moving it into the garden. Here are signs your sunflowers are ready:
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Plant height reaches 4-6 inches tall – Sunflower taproots grow fast and deep right from the start. Seedlings need adequate top growth before exposing roots.
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First true leaves emerge – Seed leaves (cotyledons) are small and round. True leaves are paired and resemble mature sunflower foliage. Wait for at least 2 sets to unfurl.
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Roots fill container – Carefully tip the plant to inspect roots. They should hold the soil together when removed from the container. Avoid root circling.
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Hardened off for 7-10 days – Seedlings must be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting into garden soil.
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No risk of frost – Transplant after all danger of frost has passed. Sunflowers grow best with minimum temps of 55-60°F (13-16°C).
Optimal transplant size is around 4-6 inches tall. Don’t exceed 10 inches or taproot growth will be stunted by the container. Mature enough to withstand some handling but still small and compact.
How to Transplant Sunflower Seedlings
Transplanting on a mild, cloudy day minimizes stress on seedlings. Follow these steps for a successful transplant:
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Water seedlings a few hours before moving them. Moist soil helps prevent root damage. Allow any excess water to drain first.
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Dig holes in garden spaced 18-24 inches apart. Holes should be wider and deeper than the seedling’s root mass.
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Gently remove seedling from container, handling leaves rather than the stem. Disturb roots as little as possible.
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Place in hole at same depth it was growing in the container. Backfill soil around stem and firm gently but don’t pack tightly.
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Water transplants thoroughly to eliminate any air pockets. Consider using a transplant fertilizer to minimize shock.
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Provide shade for a few days until seedlings adjust to sunlight. Monitor soil moisture and water when dry.
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Stake plants if growing large sunflower varieties. Young stems need support in windy spots.
Follow proper spacing guidelines for the variety you’re growing to prevent overcrowding. Dwarf sunflowers can go as close as 9 inches apart while giant types need 18-36 inches between plants.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some key pitfalls to steer clear of when transplanting sunflower seedlings include:
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Transplanting too early when plants are small and fragile. This risks stunting plants.
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Allowing seedlings to outgrow containers. Stunted roots struggle to establish once moved.
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Exposing roots or packing soil too tightly during transplant which damages roots.
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Letting seedlings get stressed, wilty, or dried out. Keep plants hydrated.
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Transplanting during hot midday sun or before a heatwave. Choose cloudy mornings if possible.
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Forgetting to harden off seedlings before transplanting. Sudden changes in light, temperature, and wind will shock them.
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Failing to provide support for floppy stems and big flower heads. Stake tall varieties.
Pay close attention to your seedlings and schedule the transplant once they have leaves, filled out roots, have been hardened off, and all danger of frost is past.
How to Harden Off Sunflower Seedlings
Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimating seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting into the garden. This toughens up the plants and prevents transplant shock. Follow these hardening off steps:
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Phase 1: Bring seedlings outside in a shady spot for 2-3 hours a day for 2-3 days. Take back indoors overnight.
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Phase 2: Increase outdoor time to 4-6 hours a day in partial sun for 2-3 days. Take indoors at night.
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Phase 3: Leave seedlings outside in partial shade all day and night for 2-3 days. Provide shelter if rain or frost is expected.
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Phase 4: Move seedlings to a fully sunny location for 2-3 days, monitoring for stress signs. Water daily.
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Phase 5: On transplant day, garden soil should feel familiar to roots. Proceed with transplanting.
Going slowly gives plants time to build cuticles and adjust to wind, sun intensity, temperature shifts, and reduced humidity levels outside.
Caring for Seedlings After Transplanting
Sunflowers demand a little extra attention after being moved into the garden:
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Provide afternoon shade for 2-3 days until seedlings establish.
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Check soil moisture frequently and water whenever top few inches become dry. Prioritize consistency.
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Consider using a brightly colored plastic mulch to warm soil, deter weeds, and conserve moisture after transplant.
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Fertilize lightly 2-3 weeks after transplant if growth seems slow using a balanced liquid feed.
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Monitor for pests like slugs, snails, and earwigs that attack seedlings and small plants. Remove by hand.
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Install cages, stakes, or trellises for support before plants get large and unwieldy.
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Weed carefully around seedlings to prevent competition for water and nutrients.
With attentive care through the transplant process and beyond, your sunflowers will reward you with their iconic bright yellow blooms all summer long.
Tips for Moving Sunflower Plants
Sunflower seeds are big, grow quickly, and have long roots, so it can be hard to move the plants from the sprouting pot to the ground. Do this less than three weeks after planting or as soon as you see leaves developing. If you leave plants in the starting container too long, growth of the long taproot may be stunted.
The best way to grow sunflowers is to plant the seeds right in the ground after the ground has warmed up and the risk of frost has passed. If you really have to start sunflowers in pots, make sure the pots break down naturally and take them out as you plant the plant in the ground. Make sure dirt is loosened several inches (8 cm. ) underneath to provide room for the taproot to grow.
If you buy a sunflower that is already growing in a pot, make sure the top growth looks healthy and, if you can, check out the roots. Don’t purchase this plant if it appears rootbound.
Choose a deep pot and maybe a dwarf variety of the plant if you want to grow sunflowers in a pot. A dwarf plant can live in a one- to two-gallon pot, but a mammoth plant needs at least a five-gallon pot, according to different sources. Sunflowers growing in a container will likely need staking too.
Do Sunflowers Transplant Well?
Put sunflowers in their permanent location when planting. Due to their taproot, moving plants is not advisable. It is nearly impossible to move growing plants with taproots once active growth has started.
Yes, you can move sunflowers from a starting pot. If you want to start growing this plant early, you can start with seeds in a pot. Transplanting sunflower seedlings shortly after sprouting is the best practice.
Transplanting Sunflower Seedlings
FAQ
How tall should sunflower seedlings be before planting?
When to transplant sunflower seedlings to bigger pots?
Do sunflowers transplant well?
When should I transplant sunflower seeds?
Transplanting sunflower seedlings shortly after sprouting is the best practice. Since the seeds are large, grow quickly, and have a long taproot, moving sunflower plants from the sprouting container into the ground can be tricky. Do this less than three weeks after planting or as soon as you see leaves developing.
How do you plant sunflower seedlings?
When it is time to plant the sunflower seedlings, create a hole that is the same size as the root ball. Carefully remove the seedling from the container, making sure not to disturb the roots. Place the sunflower in the hole and fill in the soil, gently tamping it down to remove any air pockets.
Can You transplant sunflower seedlings?
Sunflower seedlings are normally very delicate and fragile; thus, you need to be more careful when transplanting them to avoid tampering with the roots and stems. The best time to transplant sunflowers is when the soil is warm and relatively dry, free from the danger of frost, most preferably in the first few weeks of spring.
How do you transplant baby sunflowers?
Transplanting baby sunflowers is a fairly simple process that requires a few key steps. The first step is to wait until the seedlings have grown their first true leaves and are a few inches tall. At this point, you can carefully remove the seedlings from their current container and transfer them to individual containers.
