Did you know you could get a massive flower for your garden? We’re not kidding—here are Giant Sunflower Varieties for the Garden!
Ever wondered how big sunflowers can get? Buckle up because we’re taking you into the world of GIANT sunflower varieties! These aren’t your average schoolyard sunflowers— these guys can tower over you!
Giant Sunflower Varieties
1. American Giant Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘American Giant’
USDA Zones: 4-9
The American Giant lives up to its name. It’s a hybrid variety known for reaching impressive heights, sometimes topping out at 12 feet or even more.
2. Russian Giant Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Russian Giant’
USDA Zones: 2-11
The Russian Giant can grow upwards of 14 feet tall with a massive flower head to match. These giants are perfect for making a statement in your garden.
3. Giant Yellow
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Giant Yellow’
USDA Zones: 4-9
The Giant Yellow sunflower is tall and can easily reach 6-8 feet tall. They’re great if you want to create a private wall.
4. Giraffe Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Giraffe’
USDA Zones: 2-11
Nicknamed for its extraordinary height, the Giraffe Sunflower is a huge sunflower that can reach a staggering 16 feet! They have a single, large flower head and are a fan favorite.
5. Kong Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Kong’
USDA Zones: 4-9
The Kong sunflower is known for its branching head, which can produce multiple blooms on a single stalk. It’s not quite as tall as some of the others on this list, but it sure is interesting to look at!
6. Mammoth Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’
USDA Zones: 2-11
Mammoths can grow upwards of 12 feet tall with a massive flower head. These guys are known for producing big, delicious seeds – perfect for snacking!
7. Moulin Rouge Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Moulin Rogue’
USDA Zones: 2a-11b
Moulin Rouge sunflower stands out for its unique, bicolored blooms. The petals are a fiery red at the base, transitioning to a bright yellow at the tips. They grow to be around 10 feet tall.
8. Mongolian Giant Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus uniflorus
USDA Zones: 2-8
As the name suggests, this behemoth of a sunflower comes from Mongolia. The Mongolian Giant Sunflower can grow upwards of 15 feet tall and has a foot-wide flower head.
9. Pike’s Peak
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Pikes Peak’
USDA Zones: 4-9
Pike’s Peak sunflower is slightly shorter than some of the other giant varieties, but it can still grow up to 6-8 feet tall, so it’s not exactly small, either!
10. Skyscraper Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Skyscraper,’
USDA Zones: 3-9
The Skyscraper Sunflower is surely a contender for the world’s biggest sunflower title. These giants can reach heights of 15 feet or more!
11. Ring of Fire Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Ring of Fire’
USDA Zones: 2-11
This sunflower gets its name from the fiery red ring around the center of its golden yellow petals. Ring of Fire sunflowers are a great option if you don’t want the typical yellow ones.
12. Sunzilla Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Sunzilla’
USDA Zones: 3-10
Sunzillas are hybrid varieties with flower heads that can grow 2 feet wide in diameter. Yes, you read that right–2 feet. The plant itself grows to be around 12 feet tall.
13. Titan Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Titan’
USDA Zones: 9-10
Titan can grow upwards of 15 feet tall. These impressive sunflowers are sure to turn heads in any garden.
14. Italian White Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus Annuus ‘Italian White’
USDA Zones: 4-9
Unlike most sunflowers on this list, the Italian White Sunflower features stunning white petals with a dark brown center. They grow to be around 10 feet tall.
15. Velvet Queen Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’
USDA Zones: 2-11
The Velvet Queen sunflower variety is known for its deep, reddish-brown petals that resemble velvet. Really a beauty, isn’t it?
Growing Giant Sunflowers in Pot
While these sun-loving giants love to stretch their roots in the ground, you can still grow a huge sunflower plant in a pot.
The key is to choose large sunflowers bred for containers, like the ‘American Giant’ or ‘Russian Mammoth’, and provide a big enough pot—think 22-26 inches!
Fill it with good quality potting mix and water regularly, and give your sunflower a spot with at least 6-8 hours of sunshine a day. With a little love and care, you might just be surprised at how tall your potted sunflower grows!
