Do sunflowers regrow after being cut?

Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Sunflower regrowth is entirely dependent on the type of variety. Single-stem varieties such as ProCut Orange produce one main bloom per plant and will not regrow after cutting. Branching varieties like Autumn Beauty will produce new blooms only if stems are cut above leaf nodes. Your variety choice will depend on whether you want to cut or harvest blooms.
Single-Stem Types
- Develop one central bloom per plant
- No regrowth occurs after cutting main stem
- Harvest by pulling entire plant after bloom fades
- Examples: ProCut series, Sunrich Gold
Branching Types
- Produce multiple stems from base
- Cut stems above lowest leaf node to encourage new shoots
- Require 3-4 weeks between harvests for regrowth
- Examples: Autumn Beauty, Italian White
To cut branching varieties appropriately for regrowth, you want to stimulate new points of growth by cutting stems with a sharp pruner at a 45-degree angle immediately above a leaf node. For proper regrowth, I leave at least two sets of leaves on the stem below the cut. Plants need enough foliage to recover energy.
Utilize succession planting for guaranteed ongoing harvests. Plant new seeds every 10-14 days during spring through summer, which is more reliable than regrowth for a dependable bloom. I reserve entire rows in my garden for planting every week. This gives me a steady supply of flowers.
Optimize your cutting potential with proper maintenance. Fertilize lightly after harvesting branching kinds of cuttings with a balanced 10-10-10 formula. Water deeply, as needed, and support new growth. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates to reduce stress. Healthy plants regenerate more readily.
Be aware of when to replace plants. When it comes to branching types, they typically produce good flowers for two consecutive harvests. After the second round of regrowth, their yields drop sharply. It's important to remove the depleted plants and reseed the area. Rotating these plants keeps the garden both productive and attractive.
Read the full article: When to Plant Sunflowers: Full Guide