How to grow sunflowers in a raised bed

Sunflowers are pure summer joy — towering, cheerful blooms that feed the bees all season and hand you edible seeds at the end. A raised bed gives them the rich, deep root run they need to reach for the sky.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 30–45 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 10–14 weeks

When to plant: Sunflowers are frost-tender — sow directly from spring through summer once it's warm. Sow a few in succession for a long display. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it in a raised bed: Sow the big seeds straight into rich mix in full sun. Tall varieties need staking, especially in wind. They're fast, dramatic and easy — a favourite with kids.

How to use it: The petals are edible, the young buds can be cooked like artichokes, and the mature seeds are a treat (if the birds don't get them first). Above all, they're a five-star bee and beneficial-insect plant.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars, though flowers are seldom much bothered. See our safe pest guide.

Common problems: the main one to watch is rust and powdery mildew, usually in damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow prevents most.

Where to plant it: Plant them at the back of a bed where their height won't shade other crops; a magnet for bees. See our companion planting guide.

More growing guides: cosmos, calendula and bee balm.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Wilfredor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.