Dwarf sunflowers are just as gorgeous as their taller counterparts. While they also produce seeds, they aren’t as enjoyable as the larger variety. Dwarf sunflowers are lovely plants to enjoy in late spring, summer, and early fall. Plant sunflowers like these in your home garden or in a container to give as a gift. There are many dwarf sunflower varieties to choose from!
Dwarf sunflowers are charming, compact versions of the classic sunflower that offer the joy and beauty of traditional sunflowers without requiring a large garden space. Growing these petite floral wonders can be a joyful experience, especially if you pick the right one for your application. Here are 10+ of the best mini sunflower varieties to grow this year.
1. Suntastic
Suntastic is a variety of dwarf sunflower that gives a cheery aesthetic to any garden or window sill. Each plant produces up to twenty 5-6 inch flowers. They also bloom three times successively, giving you plenty of beauty. These showy flowers bloom in less than 65 days after sowing. Something cool about this dwarf sunflower is that it’s one of the smallest on the market. They love full sun and well-drained soil like most dwarf sunflower varieties.
2. Teddy Bear
The Teddy Bear sunflower looks much like it sounds. It’s extremely fuzzy and fluffy and one of the coolest-looking dwarf sunflowers out there. These cute sunflowers grow to about a foot tall, sometimes less. They prefer direct sunlight and well-drained soil.
3. Suncredible
Suncredible is a potted sunflower from Proven Winners that grows to 2-3 feet tall. This branching variety continuously flowers without the need for deadheading, although tidying up is optional. It’s excellent for attracting pollinators and provides a consistent burst of color throughout the season, extending well into fall.
4. SunBuzz
SunBuzz can easily grow in a pot. They grow to 8-12 inches tall and are cute miniature versions of their taller counterparts. Their prime growing season is early spring, late spring, summer, late summer, and autumn. So pretty much any time except winter!
5. Big Smile sunflower
Big Smile does well in small garden beds or containers. They grow to only about 10 inches tall. Keep the soil moist but well-drained for optimal growth. These miniature sunflowers grow best in late spring, summer, or early fall. They grow well in spaced-out gardens or pots with plenty of room.
6. Sunny Smile sunflower
Sunny Smile is truly a miniature sunflower for container and garden use. These plants produce golden orange petals with 2-5 blooms each. They grow to about 15 inches tall and prefer well-drained soil and full sun exposure. These look fantastic adorning your back patio or front porch, just place them in your favorite container and keep the soil moist.
7. Smiley sunflower
The Smiley sunflower produces broad, bright yellow petals. They are early bloomers that grow anywhere from 6 to 20 inches, depending on whether they are planted in a garden or container. They are miniature versions of the full sunflower plant and are just as gorgeous to look at. Like many of the other dwarf sunflowers, they love direct sunlight. Plant them where they will only get partial shade.
8. Lemon Pixie sunflower
Lemon Pixie dwarf sunflower is another popular mini variety. The soft yellow look of these showy flowers is a lovely addition to any garden or patio. The light yellow resembles a lemon, hence its cute name. These sunflowers are very compact and only grow a foot or two tall. They are great for containers and attract bees and other pollinators that benefit your garden. They will look lovely in a butterfly or wildlife garden.
9. Gummy Bear sunflower
The Gummy Bear dwarf sunflower is another fluffy variety. They are extremely soft and one of my favorite dwarf varieties. The gummy bear plant averages 36 -48 inches tall and is a lighter yellow than traditional sunflowers. Gummy bear sunflowers would look adorable in any garden or on your front porch. This is one of my favorite dwarf sunflowers.
10. Rio Carnival sunflower
Rio Carnival is especially beautiful because of its red inner circle. It resembles a sunset if you ask me. Its name comes from the brilliant colors that match those you might see in Rio. These beautiful flower heads are about 5-7 inches across and 25 inches tall. They make excellent border plants for your garden and grow best in mid-summer.
11. Firecracker sunflower
The Firecracker dwarf sunflower is a spectacular flower to behold. The ombre coloring blends yellow and red to make a lovely orange in the middle. You can’t quite tell where one color starts and another begins. They really do look like a little firecracker! These bicolored plants are perfect for your summer garden and grow to about 40 inches tall. When dried, they make lovely decorations for fall! Plant seeds in your garden to have plants throughout the spring and summer months.
12. Bert sunflower
Bert sunflowers make the perfect potted gift! They are some of the smaller dwarf sunflowers and grow to about 14 inches tall. Plant them in a cute container like a basket or decorative pot to give to a friend or loved one. These are some of the cute sunflower varieties that anyone would love to receive as a gift.
