SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Lemon Queen

Sunflower
Zone 11a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Lemon Queen to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Lemon Queen
70d to harvest

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.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).
MilestoneDate
Start Indoors—
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsOct 1st
Harvest BeginsDec 10th
Harvest EndsFeb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity70
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitUpright
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)55
Min Night Temp (°F)45
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Lemon Queen in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 55°F before transplanting Lemon Queen.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

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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 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.
Botanical illustration of Lemon Queen

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.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Lemon Queen in Zone 11a typically begins around 2026-10-01. Wait until soil reaches at least 55°F before transplanting Lemon Queen.

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11a, grow this cool-season crop during the cooler dry season (October–February).

Sowing Tips

Soil Temperature

Direct sow or transplant when soil at planting depth holds 55°F for reliable germination and early growth.

Expert Note

For the best blooms, sow where they won’t be transplanted (or start very early) and keep moisture even until establishment, then let plants dry slightly between waterings.