How To Care For Cut Sunflowers (Actionable Tips)

Sunflowers are hailed by the Chinese as a symbol of longevity, and rightfully so.

This article hopes to preserve that longevity, amongst other tips it will help you how to care for your cut sunflowers, and in the process, help stop them from drooping.

Also known as “Helianthus Annuus” the Sunflower has always been historically associated with legends of the Sun God. With a tendency to turn its head and grow towards the sun, these sun-like flowers are hailed as a symbol of pride and cheerfulness.

Certainly a favourite flower amongst all generations, but normally the first memorable introduction to the plant world for a child.

Let’s get straight into the tips to look after these beauties!

How to Care For Cut Sunflowers (tips 1-3)

1. Cut the stems of the sunflowers so that they are about 3 inches in length.
2. Place the sunflowers in a vase with water and change the water every 2 to 3 days.
3. Place the sunflowers in a cool spot out of direct sunlight for 4 to 5 days, and then place them in a sunny spot for 2 to 3 days before moving them indoors or outside again.

How To Cut Sunflowers and Keep Them Fresh Longer (tips 4-5)

Cutting Sunflowers:

• Place the stems in cold water for at least 4 hours before arranging them in a vase. This will help keep the heads from drooping.
• Trim off any brown, dry leaves.
• Cut the stems to about 6 inches long.
• Fill a vase with cold water and add 1 teaspoon of sugar for each quart of water. (This will keep flowers fresh longer.)

Keep Them Fresh Longer:

• Store flowers in a glass container or vase with plenty of cold water, change the water every 2 days if they are blooming or every week if they are not blooming.
• Keep flowers away from direct sunlight and heat sources like radiators and fireplaces.

Estimated Vase Life

5 to 8 days (with care listed above, this can be extended to up to 2 weeks)

Care Tip

Sunflowers need a lot of water, make sure you check the water level daily and replace with fresh water and more flower food if necessary. To ensure good water uptake cut stems diagonally under water upon arrival.

Arranging Tip

When the petals fade, separate them from the large discs and use the discs as an interesting touch in arrangements.

Help! Why Are My Sunflowers Drooping?

Reason 1: Too Much Shade

The sunflower wilting leaves can be due to too much shade. The plants need sunlight to grow, and if they do not get enough sunlight, they will start to wilt.

Too much shade is a problem for plants because it prevents them from getting the light that they need in order to grow properly.

This means that the plant will start to wilt because it does not have enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Reason 2: Too Much Watering or Overwatering

There is one thing that will harm or kill your sunflowers – overwatering.

The problem with overwatering is that it causes the roots to rot and the plant will die.

But how do you know if your sunflower needs water or not?

The best way to tell is by looking at the soil. If it feels moist and cool, then you don’t need to water it yet. If it’s dry or hot, then you know that your sunflower needs water.

Reason 3: Not Enough Watering or Underwatering

Sunflowers need at least an inch of water per week in order to grow properly. However, if the soil is too wet, it can cause the plant’s roots to rot.

The best way to measure how much water your sunflower needs is by using a moisture meter or just by checking the color of your soil.

If you are unsure about how much water your sunflower needs, then you should ask your local nursery for help or advice.

IMPORTANT – If flowers wilt or droop prematurely, cut them short and place in slightly warm water. Both the cutting and water temperature will help revive the blooms.

If outside, strong canes or bamboo sticks will help support young bloomers by correcting the stem of the plant.

Where to Buy Sunflowers

Sunflowers are one of the most popular flowers in the world. They come in a variety of colors and can be used for decoration or to make sunflower oil.

When buying sunflowers, it is advised to choose sunflowers that are about three fourths open. The sunflower petals will still appear to be slightly turned upward. The sunflowers petals should be soft to the touch.

The sunflower center is the best indication for the freshness of the sunflower – there should be no pollen.

Sunflowers are usually sold at garden centers, nurseries, and home improvement stores. You can also buy them online from online flower shops such as Flowers Fast.

We have listed a few places below where you can pick up some beautiful sunflowers!

1) Local Farmers Market

The local farmers market is a great place where you can find many different types of sunflowers.

If you want to support your local farmers, then the farmers market is a great place to buy sunflowers. Not only are you supporting small businesses, but you’re also getting fresh flowers that were probably picked that morning.

To find a farmers market near you, check out LocalHarvest.org.

The supermarket isn’t the best place to buy sunflowers because they’re usually not as fresh. However, if you’re looking for a last-minute gift or you need sunflowers right away, then the supermarket is an option.

2) Flowers Fast

FlowersFast.com is an online flower shop offering same-day flower delivery, and discount prices with a focus on excellent service.

For flowers delivered across the United States, Flowers Fast partner with the very best FTD florists. They are in fact, in the top 100.

Stunning sunflower bouquets are available in various sizes, from small to extra-large. You can also choose the type of sunflower you want, such as single-bloom or multi-bloom.

3) Send Smiles

Sending beautiful, farm fresh flowers has been in their business for four generations!

Send Smile Flowers is an online flower shop with a difference – farm fresh flowers arrive daily from farms in Ecuador and Colombia. Sustainable, eco-friendly, and family-owned.

They have a large selection of sunflowers, including mini sunflowers and bouquets and offer FREE delivery!

A really excellent service they offer is their subscription boxes, where you can save 10% by scheduling recurring deliveries daily, weekly or monthly.