Italian White Sunflower Seeds

Italian White sunflowers open creamy petals around dark centers. Branching plants give you flowers to enjoy outside and stems to bring indoors.

Packet: 20 seeds

Planting at a glance

• Season: Flower crop — see planting window
• Start: Direct sow after frost, or start indoors before planting out
• Seed depth: ½ inch
• Germination: Allow about 5–14 days in warm conditions around 70–75°F
• Final spacing: Allow 12–24 inches; tall, branching types need the wider spacing
• Light: Full sun
• Harvest planning: Annual flowers; bloom timing varies across short, tall and branching varieties

When to plant

Plant outdoors after frost danger passes and the soil has warmed. In short-season areas, count back from your intended outdoor planting date for indoor starts.

How to plant

1. Prepare loose, well-drained soil or a clean seed-starting mix. Direct sow after frost, or start indoors before planting out.
2. Sow ½ inch deep. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Then water when the soil needs it, allowing excess water to drain.
3. Thin or transplant to the listed final spacing. Give seedlings sufficient light and check moisture as roots establish.

How to harvest

Cut blooms at the stage you want for a vase, or leave them in the garden. Remove spent flowers where repeat bloom is desired.

Aunt E’s tip: Put tall plants where they will not shade your smaller crops.