Teddy Bear

Family: Asteraceae Oilseed and ornamental annual

Planting Schedule

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Velvety, honeyed blooms arrive with a plush, teddy-bear softness—sunlit petals that seem to glow from within.

Teddy Bear sunflower forms compact, well-branched plants that carry abundant, rounded flower heads with a rich, warm color and a satisfyingly dense, cushion-like texture. Ideal for beds and borders, it brings long-lasting visual impact to sunny spaces and makes a striking centerpiece in arrangements.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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Teddy Bear 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 pest or disease most often affects Helianthus annuus (Teddy Bear sunflower), and how do I treat it?

Watch for powdery mildew and gray mold, especially when nights are humid and airflow is poor. Remove and destroy badly affected leaves, then space plants farther and water at the soil line to keep foliage dry; if mildew is recurring, apply a labeled fungicide formulated for powdery mildew on ornamentals. Also keep an eye out for aphids on fresh growth—spray plants with a strong stream of water and use insecticidal soap if colonies persist.

How often should I water Teddy Bear sunflowers during active growth?

During the main growth phase, water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out, rather than daily light watering. Aim for consistently moist soil but not soggy conditions; Helianthus annuus performs poorly if roots stay wet, so ensure good drainage and avoid wetting the leaves. In hot weather, this usually means about 1 inch of water per week total (from rainfall and irrigation), adjusted for your soil type.

How can I tell when Teddy Bear sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the flower heads are fully developed and the back of the head turns yellow-brown and starts to look dry, with seeds (if growing for seed) plump and firm rather than soft. For cut flowers, pick when the outer petals are mostly open but before the head fully browns down. If you’re aiming for seed, cut the heads when the bracts are drying and hang them to finish drying in a dry, airy spot.