Black Oil Sunflower

Type: Open-pollinated
Seed packet: 20 seeds

Helianthus annuus. Black Oil Sunflower is a fast-growing annual sunflower producing bright golden-yellow blooms followed by seed-filled heads packed with oil-rich black sunflower seeds. These seeds are especially attractive to wild birds, while the cheerful flowers provide a valuable food source for bees and other beneficial pollinators.

Easy to grow and productive, Black Oil Sunflowers are an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, pollinator gardens, garden borders, naturalized areas, and larger plantings. Allow mature flower heads to remain in the garden to provide a natural food source for birds, or harvest the seeds after the heads have fully matured and dried.

🌱 Growing Information

How to Grow Black Oil Sunflower from Seed

Planting Depth: 1 inch
Seed Spacing: 6–12 inches
Row Spacing: 24–36 inches
Germination Time: 7–10 days
Days to Bloom: 70–90 days
Sun Requirements: Full Sun

Planting Tips:
Black Oil Sunflowers are fast-growing annual flowers that are easy to grow in most garden soils. Direct sow sunflower seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Plant in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and while young plants become established. Once growing vigorously, sunflowers are relatively easy to maintain.

The bright blooms attract bees and other pollinators during flowering. As the flower heads mature, the oil-rich black seeds become an excellent natural food source for wild birds.

To harvest the sunflower seeds, allow the flower heads to mature and begin drying on the plant before collecting.

🌻 Great for bird gardens, pollinator gardens, wildlife plantings, garden borders, and naturalized areas.