Should I Cut off Dead Sunflowers?

If you want a longer flowering season, plan to deadhead sunflowers. Cutting back the spent blooms encourages new flower shoots to grow. If you'd prefer to have sunflower seeds for roasting or future planting, do not cut the spent sunflower heads until they are dry and brown.

Do sunflowers grow back every year?

Are sunflowers annuals or perennials? While most varieties of this bright beauty are annual sunflowers, meaning they will not come back the following growing season, they may self-germinate from dropped seeds if you leave the heads on the plants throughout the winter.

What to do with a sunflower when it dies?

If a sunflower dies from disease, pull it immediately and dispose of it in the trash. Never compost diseased sunflowers. To prevent the spread of diseases and pests, always sterilize your cutting tools by dipping the blades in rubbing alcohol or a household cleaner like Lysol.