Velvet Queen

Family: Asteraceae Oilseed and ornamental annual

Planting Schedule

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Velvet Queen blooms with a truly velvety presence—sun-warmed petals in rich golden tones that seem to glow from within, framed by a deep, dark center that reads almost ink-black at a distance.

The flower heads are bold and well-proportioned, with a lush, full texture that holds its beauty through the season and invites pollinators to linger. Grow Velvet Queen for striking, long-lasting color in the garden beds and borders, and enjoy the steady parade of blooms from early summer into fall.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

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Velvet 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)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Helianthus annuus (sunflower ‘Velvet Queen’) leaves turning yellow or developing spots, and what should I do?

Look for fungal leaf spots (dark brown/gray spots with yellowing) and treat early with better airflow: thin crowded plants and water at the soil line, not the leaves. If new spots keep spreading, spray a labeled fungicide for edible/non-edible sunflowers per the product directions, especially during humid stretches.

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

During active growth (after emergence until heads form), keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist, then water deeply when it starts to dry out at that depth. Aim for roughly 1 inch of water per week as a baseline, increasing during hot spells; sunflowers tolerate brief dryness but consistently wet soil encourages disease.

How can I tell when Helianthus annuus (‘Velvet Queen’) is ready to harvest at about 70 days?

Harvest when the back of the flower head turns yellow to deep brown and the bracts (the small leaf-like parts around the head) loosen. The seeds should look plump and filled; cut the stems and let the heads dry in a warm, airy spot until fully dry before removing seeds.