Soraya

Family: Asteraceae Oilseed and ornamental annual

Planting Schedule

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

Warm golden petals unfurl with a radiant, honeyed glow, framing a deep, chocolate-brown center that feels richly textured at every glance.

Soraya’s blooms are bold and upright, with sturdy stems that hold their presence from garden to vase, and its dense seed head promises a satisfying, nutty harvest for seed oil and bird-friendly enjoyment. A standout for pollinators, Soraya brings long-lasting summer color and a dramatic focal point—ideal for borders, back rows, and sunny corners where you want beauty that keeps returning.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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Soraya 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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Soraya’s edible angle is in the warm, honey-tinged petals and the genuinely nutty seed payoff—great when you want crunch without bitterness. Use the seeds toasted for a dry, snappy texture, and lean on citrus or vinegar to keep the flavor from tipping heavy.

Best Uses

petals as an edible garnish for salads and desserts
cold-press sunflower oil for bright, nutty finishing
toasting seeds for crunchy toppings on grains and slaws

Flavor Profile

honeyed, faintly sweet petal notes nutty, roasted seed flavor potential crisp, dry seed texture

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey black pepper garlic sea salt vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Helianthus annuus (sunflower) leaves turning yellow or getting spots, and what should I do?

Common problems include downy mildew and Alternaria leaf spot, which show up as yellowing with irregular spots or gray/brown blotches on foliage. Remove and discard the worst leaves, water at the soil line (not overhead), and space plants so air can circulate. If it’s actively spreading, use a labeled fungicide for sunflowers and repeat according to the label at the first signs of spots.

How often should I water Helianthus annuus during the main growing phase?

During the main growth (from when plants are established through heavy leaf/flower development), keep soil consistently moderately moist—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and avoid soggy soil because sunflowers can develop root and crown issues in prolonged wet conditions.

How can I tell when my Helianthus annuus is ready to harvest (about 70 days)?

Harvest when the back of the flower head turns yellow to brown and the outer petals are mostly dry and dropped. Seeds should look plump and firm, and you should be able to loosen a test seed from the head easily. Cut the heads with 6–12 inches of stem and dry them in a warm, airy place for best seed quality.