How to Grow Teddy Bear Sunflower
Wikimedia Commons
Teddy Bear Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear'
flowerTeddy Bear sunflowers are dwarf ornamental sunflowers with fully double, fluffy golden-yellow blooms that resemble pompoms or teddy bears. These compact plants typically reach 2-3 feet tall and produce abundant flowers throughout the summer. They are excellent for cut flowers, borders, and container gardening.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Teddy Bear 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.
Example Teddy Bear Sunflower timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Teddy Bear Sunflower
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Teddy Bear Sunflower blooms
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Teddy Bear Sunflower dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-11; grows as annual in all zones
Sign up free to see if Teddy Bear Sunflower grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Teddy Bear Sunflower timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksThick cotyledons emerge, followed by heart-shaped true leaves. Plants develop a sturdy main stem.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Provide bright light to prevent legging.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and leaves rapidly. Height increases and foliage becomes dense. Branching occurs naturally.
Water regularly and deeply. Support with stakes if needed in windy locations. Pinch main stem when 12-15 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksFlower buds form at branch tips. Buds are tightly clustered and greenish, gradually enlarging.
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Maintain consistent moisture to support bud development. Remove any diseased leaves.
Flowering
4-8 weeksFluffy, fully double golden-yellow pompom-like flowers open and bloom prolifically. Each plant produces multiple flowers in succession.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Water at soil level to keep petals dry. Support heavy flower heads with stakes if needed.
Late Season & Decline
Until frostFlowering gradually slows as temperatures cool in fall. Plant energy shifts toward seed production if flowers are not removed.
Continue deadheading to extend bloom time. Allow final flowers to mature if saving seeds. Reduce watering as growth naturally slows.
Common Pests
-
Monitor for larvae in stems. Remove infected stems if found. Use neem oil if infestation is severe.
-
Ensure good air circulation. Water at soil level only. Remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur-based fungicide if needed.
-
Handpick beetles if population is small. Use row covers on young plants. Apply insecticidal soap if infestation is heavy.
-
Increase humidity by misting. Spray with water to dislodge mites. Use miticide if severe.
-
and
Install bird netting over plants or flowers. Use scare devices. Plant extra plants to share harvest.
Uses
Edible Petals & Seeds
CulinaryTeddy Bear sunflower petals are edible and can garnish salads or desserts with a slightly nutty flavor. While these ornamental varieties produce fewer seeds than oilseed types, the seeds are still edible. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
HouseholdThe fluffy, pompom-like blooms are exceptional cut flowers that last 7-10 days in a vase. The compact size and multiple flowers per plant make them ideal for floral arrangements and bouquets. [source]
Dried Flowers & Crafts
CraftTeddy Bear sunflowers dry beautifully and can be used in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and pressed flower crafts. Hang bunches upside down in a cool, dry place for 2-3 weeks. [source]
Pollinator Garden
WildlifeThe abundant nectar and pollen from sunflowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. They support beneficial insects throughout the growing season. [source]
Traditional Herbal Uses
MedicinalSunflower petals have been used in traditional herbal preparations for their antioxidant properties and potential anti-inflammatory benefits, though culinary use is most common. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning when petals are fully open but pollen is still fresh. Cut stems at 45-degree angles below a leaf node. Place immediately in cool water. For longest vase life (7-10 days), recut stems daily and change water. Remove lower foliage that would sit below the waterline. Deadhead spent blooms on growing plants regularly to maximize continuous flowering throughout the season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Teddy Bear sunflowers are a double-flowered cultivar, meaning the flower petals have been bred to be fully double like peonies, with little to no visible central disk—unlike single sunflowers with their characteristic large brown centers.
- 🌱 Sunflowers exhibit heliotropism (sun-tracking) primarily as seedlings and young plants; mature Teddy Bear flowers are relatively stationary but still oriented toward the sun due to their growth pattern.
- 🌱 A single Teddy Bear plant can produce 10-20+ blooms throughout the season if deadheaded regularly, making them prolific bloomers despite their dwarf stature.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Teddy Bear Sunflower planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Teddy Bear 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 Teddy Bear Sunflower timeline →