How to Grow Tithonia: A Guide to Thriving Mexican Sunflowers in Your Garden
Welcome to my garden blog! I'm thrilled to share with you one of my absolute favorite flowering plants that I can't imagine gardening without—Tithonia, also known as Mexican Sunflower.
Watch the video version of this guide on my YouTube channel:
With its vibrant blooms, it’s a top choice for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a showstopper in any garden. Growing Tithonia successfully from seed is easier than you might think, and I'm excited to guide you through the process so you can enjoy its beauty for many months.
Why Tithonia?
The traditional orange color tithonia has botanical name Tithonia rotundifolia. Tithonia’s bold and beautiful flowers are not only visually stunning but also beneficial to your garden ecosystem. They attract a variety of pollinators and beneficial insects like hoverflies and pirate bugs, which help keep pest populations in check. Additionally, Tithonia is a vigorous grower, and some gardeners even use it for generating biomass for mulch. The best varitey to grow if you want to produce bio mass is the yellow variety with botanical name Tithonia diversifolia.
Growing Tithonia from Seed - When to Start From Seed
To get an early start, sow seeds indoors about six weeks before your last spring frost date. Tithonia seedlings grow quickly, so use a minimum of 4-inch pots. The seeds need light to germinate, so sprinkle them over the soil without covering, pat them down, and water gently. Place the pot under a bright light source, and you should see germination in about seven to fourteen days.
Direct Sowing Tithonia Seeds
If you prefer direct sowing, wait until all danger of frost has passed. Choose a spot with full sun, as Tithonia thrives in bright light. Make sure the soil stays moist until the seeds germinate.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Tithonia loves full sun and can handle even the intense sunlight of Florida. While it appreciates rich soil, it also grows well in poorer soils like Florida's sandy native soil. I typically fertilize until plants reach one foot tall and then let them fend for themselves. Consistent moisture is important for young plants, but once established, Tithonia is drought-tolerant. For extra support, plant them near a structure like a fence to shield them from strong winds.
Planting and Spacing
Space plants about one foot apart if growing from seedlings or direct sow. These flowers will easily reseed, so don’t worry too much about spacing. They also do well in containers; just ensure you use a large enough pot. Tithonia plants typically reach 6-8FT in height. There is a dwarf cultivar that reaches around 5-6FT tall.
Caring for Tithonia
Tithonia will flower from two to three months after planting. Deadheading can encourage more blooms, but I often let nature take its course since new plants sprout continuously. Pest issues are minimal, but you might encounter mealy bugs or aphids on young plants. In Florida’s humid climate, expect some leaf diseases, but these are rarely debilitating.
Tithonia is one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow in your garden. It's low-maintenance, has few pests or diseases, and provides a long bloom period. If you're interested in trying your hand at this beautiful plant, be sure to check out my website to find seeds.