How to Grow Sunbird
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Sunbird
Erysimum cheiri (or Cheiranthus cheiri)
flowerSunbird is a charming ornamental flowering plant in the wallflower family, known for its vibrant, fragrant blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, and bi-colors. It's a short-lived perennial or biennial typically grown as an annual, prized for its cheerful spring and early summer flowers and sweet honey-like fragrance. The plant produces dense clusters of four-petaled flowers atop narrow, dark green foliage.
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Example Sunbird timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sunbird
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Sunbird blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sunbird dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-9; can be grown in zones 3-10 with proper timing and care
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Get my Sunbird timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
7-14 days germination; 3-4 weeks until true leavesTiny seed leaves emerge as narrow cotyledons; first true leaves are lance-shaped and hairy. Seedlings are delicate with minimal root development.
Keep soil warm (65-70°F), consistently moist, and well-lit. Provide air circulation to prevent damping-off. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops a compact rosette of narrow, dark green, slightly hairy foliage. Stem elongates slowly; multiple shoots may form from the base.
Provide cool conditions (55-65°F), consistent moisture, and full light. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizer to prevent excessive leaf growth. Harden off transplants gradually.
Bud Formation & Flowering Onset
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear at stem tips in dense, terminal spikes. Buds are tightly clustered and gradually elongate along the stem.
Maintain consistent watering without waterlogging. Apply balanced fertilizer low in nitrogen. Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier flowering.
Peak Bloom
4-8 weeks depending on temperature and varietyMasses of four-petaled flowers open in vibrant colors—red, orange, yellow, or bi-color combinations. Flowers emit a sweet fragrance and attract pollinators.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend blooming. Water at soil level to keep flowers dry. Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Reduce watering slightly.
Decline & Seed Set
Variable; 2-4 weeksFlowering slows as temperatures warm in late spring or summer. Remaining flowers fade; seed pods may develop if flowers are not deadheaded.
Allow some flowers to remain for seed collection if desired. Reduce watering further. In cool climates, may re-flower in fall if cut back. Plant typically declines in heat.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick caterpillars; use floating row covers; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) if needed; encourage natural predators
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Use row covers on young plants; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove plant debris; encourage parasitic wasps
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate; remove affected foliage
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; hose off with water; introduce beneficial insects
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Remove infected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply fungicide if severe
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinarySunbird flowers are fully edible with a slightly peppery, sweet flavor reminiscent of mustard family plants. The colorful blooms make attractive garnishes for salads, desserts, and spring dishes. [source]
Fresh Cut Flowers
HouseholdSunbird makes an excellent spring bouquet flower with a lovely fragrance and vibrant colors. Blooms last well in water and fill the home with a sweet, honeyed scent. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalWallflowers have a long history in traditional herbal medicine for supporting respiratory and circulatory health, though modern scientific evidence is limited. Some herbalists recommend gentle teas made from the leaves. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeSunbird flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, providing abundant nectar during early spring when other nectar sources are scarce. [source]
Dried Flower Arrangements
CraftThe spiky flower clusters dry well when harvested at peak bloom, retaining much of their color and structure. They work beautifully in dried arrangements and pressed flower crafts. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Sunbird is ornamental and not typically harvested for food. However, fresh flowers can be cut for bouquets early in the morning when fully hydrated; they last 5-7 days in water and emit a sweet fragrance. For seed collection, allow some flowers to fade and mature on the plant; seeds develop in long seed pods; harvest when pods turn brown and dry, then store in a cool, dry place.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Sunbird is a member of the Brassicaceae family (the cabbage and mustard family), which is why flea beetles and cabbage moths find it attractive—it's a trap crop for these common vegetable garden pests.
- 🌱 The flowers produce a distinctly sweet, honey-like fragrance that intensifies in warm mornings and evenings, making them especially fragrant during peak flowering times.
- 🌱 Wallflowers earned their common name because they traditionally grew wild on stone walls and rocky outcrops in the Mediterranean region, preferring well-draining crevices where other plants struggled.
Gardening Terms
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