Lemon Queen

Family: Asteraceae Oilseed and ornamental annual

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Lemon Queen to a garden.

Bright as a pocket of sunshine, Lemon Queen blooms with large, warm lemon-yellow petals that glow above sturdy, upright stems.

The flower heads are generously full, offering a velvety texture and a bold, cheerful presence that draws pollinators from near and far. Grow it for standout cut-flower impact in the garden and for long-lasting color that enlivens borders, beds, and sunny corners throughout the season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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Lemon Queen Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 3rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 28th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 24th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 22nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 17th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 13th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 10th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 4th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 15th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 20th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease or pest problem on Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) like Lemon Queen, and how can I stop it?

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) commonly suffer from downy mildew, which shows as yellow patches on the upper leaves and a fuzzy gray-purple growth on the undersides. Keep plants spaced for airflow and water at the soil line (not overhead); remove heavily infected leaves early to slow spread. If conditions stay humid, use a labeled fungicide for downy mildew and follow the label’s reapplication timing.

How often should I water Lemon Queen sunflower during the main growing phase?

During the main growth phase (roughly after the plants establish and before seed fill), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week depending on heat and soil drainage. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out, and avoid frequent light sprinkling that encourages shallow roots and leaf disease.

How do I know when Lemon Queen sunflower is ready to harvest after about 70 days?

Harvest when the back of the flower head turns yellow to brown and the bracts start to dry, and the seeds look plump with dark stripes typical of Helianthus annuus. Rub a few seeds—if they detach readily, they’re ready; cut the heads and dry them in a well-ventilated, shaded area for several days before removing seeds.