← Plant Guides

How to Grow Moulin Rouge Sunflower

Wikimedia Commons

Moulin Rouge Sunflower

Helianthus annuus 'Moulin Rouge'

flower

Moulin Rouge is a stunning ornamental sunflower variety featuring deep burgundy-red petals with golden yellow centers, creating a striking bicolor bloom. This cultivar grows to moderate heights (3-5 feet) and produces long-lasting flowers ideal for cut arrangements and garden displays. The dramatic coloring and full, double-form flowers make it a favorite among florists and home gardeners.

When should you plant Moulin Rouge Sunflower in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Moulin Rouge Sunflower timeline →

Example Moulin Rouge Sunflower timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Moulin Rouge Sunflower

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Moulin Rouge Sunflower blooms

    Around Jun 26

    ≈ 70 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Moulin Rouge Sunflower dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours preferred for best blooms)
💧
Water: Moderate watering; water deeply 1-2 times weekly. Allow soil to dry between waterings. Reduce watering once established. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 70-100 days from seed to first bloom
🌱
Planting depth: 1

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy or slightly sandy soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost organic matter for drainage balanced fertilizer at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-10; grows best in zones 5-9

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Sign up free to see if Moulin Rouge Sunflower grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Moulin Rouge Sunflower timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Seeds sprout in 7-10 days with true leaves emerging. Plants develop a single thick stem with serrated leaves.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once 3-4 inches tall. Provide bright light if growing indoors.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant rapidly increases in height with multiple leaves forming along the main stem. Dense foliage develops; stem thickens and strengthens.

Water deeply and regularly. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Stake tall varieties for support in windy areas. Pinch the growing tip at 12-18 inches if branching is desired.

3

Budding & Flowering

2-3 weeks

Terminal flower bud appears and gradually enlarges. Petals emerge showing the distinctive burgundy-red coloring with golden-yellow center disk florets.

Maintain consistent moisture but avoid wetting flowers. Apply low-nitrogen, phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support blooming. Remove any damaged or diseased leaves. Deadhead side buds if single flower blooms are desired.

4

Peak Bloom & Maturation

2-3 weeks

Flowers fully open, displaying vibrant bicolor burgundy and golden-yellow petals in lush, full form. Disk florets mature and darken.

Maintain regular watering. Stake heavily if needed for support. Cut flowers for arrangements to encourage longer blooming. Monitor for pests attracted to mature flowers.

5

Seed Development & Decline

3-4 weeks

Petals gradually fade and drop. Central disk develops heavy seed head with green to brownish seed coat.

Reduce watering gradually. Allow seed head to mature and dry on the plant if seeds are desired. Stake securely to prevent wind damage to heavy seed head.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Cosmos Russian sage Coreopsis Black-eyed Susans Marigolds Borage Basil

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Potatoes Beans (in some cases) Pole beans

Common Pests

  • Inspect seed heads regularly and remove infected portions. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray if needed. Encourage natural predators.

  • Remove and destroy infested stems immediately. Apply neem oil to stems. Maintain plant vigor through proper watering.

  • Spray with water to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Increase humidity around plants.

  • Ensure good air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur dust or fungicidal spray at first signs. Remove affected leaves.

  • Space plants for air flow. Remove infected leaves promptly. Apply copper fungicide if needed. Avoid overhead watering.

  • and

    Net developing seed heads or cover with mesh bags. Provide water and food away from plants. Install scare devices.

Uses

🍳

Sunflower Seeds

Culinary

Mature seeds are edible and nutritious, rich in vitamin E, selenium, and healthy fats. Seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack or used in baking and salads. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

The striking burgundy and gold bicolor blooms are excellent for fresh floral arrangements, bouquets, and wedding displays. Long stems and full flower form make them a florist favorite. [source]

🏠

Ornamental Garden Display

Household

Moulin Rouge sunflowers add dramatic height, color, and visual impact to garden borders, focal points, and background plantings. Perfect for cottage gardens and contemporary landscapes. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Bird Support

Wildlife

Sunflower blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during flowering. Mature seed heads provide essential food for birds and wildlife through fall and winter. [source]

💊

Traditional Wellness Uses

Medicinal

Sunflower petals and seeds have been used in traditional herbalism for respiratory and immune support. Sunflower oil is rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E with anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For cut flowers, harvest in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Cut when outer ray petals are just beginning to unfold for longest vase life (7-12 days). For seeds, allow flower heads to dry completely on the plant (petals brown and papery), then cut head and hang to finish drying, or cut when brown and dry in a warm, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks. Remove and dry seeds at room temperature, then store in cool, dry conditions.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Moulin Rouge sunflowers can track the sun's movement across the sky (heliotropism) when young, with the bud following east to west during the day and repositioning during the night—a behavior that optimizes petal temperature for pollinator attraction.
  • 🌱 Sunflowers are one of the few flowers that are naturally bicolored in petal and disk floret tissues, with the burgundy pigmentation caused by anthocyanin compounds, the same pigments that give blueberries and red wine their colors.
  • 🌱 A single large sunflower head can contain 1,000-2,000 individual florets arranged in a Fibonacci spiral pattern—a mathematical sequence found throughout nature that creates optimal packing efficiency and is visually stunning.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun pH True Leaves
Shop Moulin Rouge Sunflower plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Moulin Rouge Sunflower planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Moulin Rouge Sunflower seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Moulin Rouge Sunflower timeline →