SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Velvet Queen

Sunflower
Zone 11b Save Garden

Planting Schedule

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

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.

Crop Dates

Growing note: In frost-free Zone 11b, 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)40
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Today's Conditions

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

Garden Alerts

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

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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 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.
Botanical illustration of Velvet Queen

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.

Today's Conditions

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

Garden Alerts

In frost-free Zone 11b, 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

Sow in place after frost or when soil is warm, keep moisture steady until seedlings establish, and thin to the strongest plants for best bloom.