14 Giant Sunflower Varieties for the Garden

Raul Cornelius is a Senior Editor at BalconyGardenWeb and an expert in flower and herb cultivation based in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent speaker at horticultural events, he is also an active contributor to Facebook flower groups. Holding an MBA and a BCom, Raul blends his gardening skills with strong leadership and analytical abilities. Passionate about writing and photography, he enjoys early mornings with coffee and books, and nature bike rides during weekends.
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Here are some stunning Giant Sunflower Varieties that can be a focal point in your garden! Pick the most enormous one out!

Giant Sunflower Varieties

Sunflowers are big, bold, and beautiful, with bright yellow petals and a dark center that seems to stare straight at the sun. In this article, we will explore the Giant Sunflower Varieties out there!

Learn How to Deadhead Sunflowers here


Giant Sunflower Varieties

  1. American Giant Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘American Giant’

USDA Zones: 4-9

These Giant Sunflower Varieties can grow up to 11-16 feet tall and produce heads that are up to 2 feet wide! They are perfect for creating a statement in the garden.

2. Russian Giant Sunflower

Giant Sunflower Varieties 2

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Russian Giant’

USDA Zones: 2-11

The Russian giant sunflower is one of the most popular varieties of giant sunflowers out there. It can grow up to 12-15 feet tall and produce heads that are over 1 foot wide!

3. Giant Yellow

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Giant Yellow’

USDA Zones: 4-9

As the name suggests, these Giant Sunflower Varieties can grow up to 13-16 feet tall! The ‘Giant Yellow’ also produces heads reaching up to 1 foot wide.

Learn How to Grow Teddy Bear Sunflowers here

4. Giraffe Sunflower

Giant Sunflower Varieties 5

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Giraffe’

USDA Zones: 2-11

This sunflower gets its name from its unique height – it can grow up to 12-14 feet tall! The blooms of the ‘Giraffe’ are striking, with bright yellow petals and a dark center.

5. Kong Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Kong’

USDA Zones: 4-9

Kong is a unique Giant Sunflower Varieties that can grow up to 12 feet tall and produce heads that are over 8-12 inches.

6. Mammoth Sunflower

Giant Sunflower Varieties 7

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’

USDA Zones: 2-11

This sunflower is named after its large size and ability to tower over other plants in the garden. The best part – it is really easy to look after.

7. Moulin Rouge Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Moulin Rogue’

USDA Zones: 2a-11b

These Giant Sunflower Varieties can grow up to 8-10 feet tall. These sunflowers produce heads that are up to 8-12 inches wide and have deep red petals with a dark center.

8. Mongolian Giant Sunflower

Giant Sunflower Varieties 11

Botanical Name:  Helianthus annuus uniflorus

USDA Zones: 2-8

This sunflower variety is known for its impressive height, reaching up to 8-12 feet tall! It also produces blooms that can reach up to 8-12 inches in diameter.

Find What Do Sunflower Represent here

9. Pike’s Peak

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Pikes Peak’

USDA Zones: 4-9

This 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

Giant Sunflower Varieties 12

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Skyscraper,’

USDA Zones: 3-9

These Giant Sunflower Varieties can grow up to 10-12 feet tall. These sunflowers produce heads that are up to 9-12 inches wide and create a bold statement in any garden.

11. Ring of Fire Sunflower

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Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Ring of Fire’

USDA Zones: 2-11

This is a unique variety of giant sunflower that produces stunning, bi-colored blooms. It can grow up to 8-10 feet tall and produce heads that are up to 10 inches wide.

Find Are Sunflower Perennials here

12. Sunzilla Sunflower

Giant Sunflower Varieties 16

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Sunzilla’

USDA Zones: 3-10

These Giant Sunflower Varieties can grow to an impressive height of 12 to 16 feet. The blooms are large, often up to 14 inches in diameter.

13. Titan Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Titan’

USDA Zones: 9-10

Titans are one of the most beautiful Giant Sunflower Varieties out there, growing up to 16 feet tall! These sunflowers produce heads that are up to 8-12 inches wide.

13. Italian White Sunflower

Giant Sunflower Varieties 18

Botanical Name: Helianthus Annuus ‘Italian White’

USDA Zones: 4-9

The Italian White Sunflower is a unique variety of giant sunflowers that can grow up to 12 feet tall. These sunflowers produce heads that are up to 10-14 inches wide.

14. Velvet Queen Sunflower

Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’

USDA Zones: 2-11

The Velvet Queen Sunflower is a beautiful variety that produces deep burgundy petals with a dark center. It can grow up to 8-10 feet tall with 9-12 inches wide heads.

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Growing Giant Sunflowers in Pot

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Growing giant sunflowers in pots can be a rewarding experience, offering a striking visual display. However, it can be challenging, given the size these plants can reach. 

  • Choose the Right Pot: Select a large and sturdy pot, at least 18-24 inches in diameter and depth, to accommodate the root system.
  • Use Quality Soil: Fill the pot with a mix of quality potting soil and compost for adequate nutrients.
  • Provide Support: Giant sunflowers can grow very tall, so you’ll need to stake or provide support to prevent them from falling over.
  • Position for Sun: Place the pot in a location where it will receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Water Regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, especially during the growth and blooming stages.
  • Fertilize Carefully: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time, following the instructions on the packaging.
  • Monitor for Pests: Check regularly for pests such as aphids and treat them promptly if detected.

Explore Beautiful Black and White Sunflower Varieties here

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