← Plant Guides

How to Grow Teddy Bear Sunflower

Wikimedia Commons

Teddy Bear Sunflower

Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear'

flower

Teddy Bear is a dwarf double-flowered sunflower variety that produces fully pompom-like blooms resembling fluffy teddy bears. Unlike typical sunflowers with a single row of petals and exposed seed discs, this variety features abundant layered petals with little to no visible center. It's an ornamental favorite for bouquets, garden displays, and container gardening.

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.

Get my Teddy Bear Sunflower timeline →

Example Teddy Bear Sunflower timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Teddy Bear 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 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

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours preferred for best blooms)
💧
Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during establishment. Once established, relatively drought-tolerant. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues. Reduce watering as plants mature.
📏
Spacing: 12-18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 70-100 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1 inch

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, tolerant of poor soil conditions
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure for soil enrichment Perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage Avoid excessive nitrogen to prevent leggy growth

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-11; annual grown in all zones

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

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

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Cotyledons emerge within 7-10 days. First true leaves appear as narrow, slightly hairy foliage. Plant is low and compact.

Ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Thin seedlings to proper spacing early.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant develops sturdy stem with multiple leaves along the length. Height increases to 24-36 inches for Teddy Bear variety. Leaves are broad, coarse, and pubescent (hairy).

Support with stakes if in windy locations. Maintain consistent moisture. Avoid excessive nitrogen which causes leggy stems. Pinch tips early to encourage bushier growth if desired.

3

Budding

2-3 weeks

Flower bud forms at stem apex, initially appearing as a tight, round green knob. Bud swells and begins showing color development.

Increase watering frequency as demand increases. Apply balanced fertilizer or low-nitrogen blooming fertilizer. Remove lower damaged leaves for air circulation.

4

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Pompom-like flower opens fully with hundreds of densely packed petals creating a fluffy, bear-like appearance. Blooms are typically golden yellow, 4-6 inches diameter, with no exposed seed disc visible.

Deadhead spent florets to extend blooming period. Continue regular watering at soil level. Stake stems if needed to prevent bending under flower weight. Enjoys consistent moisture during bloom.

5

Seed Development & Decline

2-3 weeks

Flower petals gradually fade and drop. Seed production occurs if flowers aren't deadheaded. Plant begins to senesce and decline.

Leave flowers on plant if seed collection is desired. Otherwise, deadhead to extend bloom and redirect energy. Stop fertilizing. Reduce watering frequency.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Cosmos Marigolds Black-eyed Susan Coneflowers Salvia Dahlias Bee balm

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Potatoes Tomatoes

Common Pests

  • Inspect buds regularly; hand-pick larvae if found. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) if infestation occurs. Remove infested buds promptly.

  • Hand-pick beetles in early morning. Use row covers during early growth. Neem oil spray for heavy infestations. Remove debris where beetles overwinter.

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings.

  • Maintain adequate humidity by misting foliage. Use sulfur dust or neem oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.

  • Ensure good air circulation. Spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide. Remove infected leaves. Avoid overhead watering.

  • Remove affected leaves promptly. Improve air circulation. Apply fungicide if severe. Avoid wetting foliage.

Uses

🍳

Edible Seeds

Culinary

While ornamental Teddy Bear varieties produce seeds less abundantly than seed-type sunflowers, the seeds are still edible and nutritious when harvested and dried. They can be roasted and eaten as a snack or used in baking. [source]

🏠

Cut Flower Arrangements

Household

Teddy Bear sunflowers are exceptional in floral arrangements and bouquets due to their full, pompom-like blooms and sturdy stems. They last 7-14 days in a vase and add whimsical texture to any arrangement. [source]

🎨

Dried Flower Crafts

Craft

The full flower heads dry beautifully and retain their shape and color, making them ideal for dried arrangements, wreaths, and other craft projects. Hang-dry flowers upside down in a cool, dark location. [source]

🦋

Ornamental Garden Display

Wildlife

These cheerful flowers brighten gardens and containers, adding height and color from mid-summer through fall. Their compact size (24-36 inches) makes them suitable for border planting and decorative purposes. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

Sunflower petals have been used traditionally in herbal teas and remedies. Modern herbalists use sunflower extracts for potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, though culinary ornamental varieties should be confirmed safe before consumption. [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 stems in early morning when flowers are fully open but still fresh. Cut at least 12 inches of stem for arrangements. For seed harvesting (if deadheading wasn't done), wait until flower back browns and dries completely—typically 30-40 days after blooming begins. Cut seed head and allow to dry indoors for 2-3 weeks. Rub head gently to release seeds.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Despite their common name, Teddy Bear sunflowers are a relatively modern cultivar, developed through selective breeding to enhance petal density and create the fluffy, bear-like appearance that distinguishes them from standard single-flowered sunflowers.
  • 🌱 Unlike wild sunflowers, Teddy Bear and other double-flowered varieties produce little to no viable seed because the stamens and pistils are replaced with additional petals, making seed saving impossible but ensuring longer ornamental display.
  • 🌱 Sunflowers are heliotropic (sun-tracking) as seedlings and young plants, with their flower buds following the sun from east to west during the day and reorienting at night—a behavior called 'heliotropism' driven by differential growth on opposite stem sides.

Gardening Terms

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

Deadhead Full Sun True Leaves
Shop Teddy Bear Sunflower plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

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 →