How to Grow Teddy Bear Sunflowers

Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’

Even though they look more like miniature mops than a stuffed animal, it’s still quite easy to understand how ‘Teddy Bear’ sunflowers got their name.

They’re fluffy, bright yellow, and a comforting small size – especially when compared to their relatives that can grow to 10 feet and taller!

Scientists have even determined that the double-bloomed sunflowers in the famous paintings by Vincent van Gogh were ‘Teddy Bear’ types, but they couldn’t find the gene mutation that gave them the green centers as depicted by the artist.

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It’s easy to see why van Gogh was drawn to these beauties.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

What Are Teddy Bear Sunflowers?

‘Teddy Bear’ sunflowers are adorable, starting with that name. But they have other charms, too.

An open-pollinated dwarf cultivar of Helianthus annuus, these annuals are characterized by fluffy, double-petaled blooms measuring five to six inches across.

Even though this variety produces minimal pollen, the shaggy pom-pom flowers are beloved by bees and other pollinators.

Chefs and salad fans prize these blooms, too. The individual petals, which are actually florets, look pretty and taste great paired with mesclun mixes – or as an edible garnish on soups, cakes, and other decorative baked goods.

And at the end of the season, you can harvest the edible seeds, either for planting next year or roasting as a tasty and nutritious snack.

Each plant sends up one thick central stalk that branches into multiple double blooms, and reaches a mature height of just two to four feet tall.

They flower over a period of about five weeks, usually starting from around 75 days after direct sowing, and provide color for the rest of the summer.

Best Uses

Like the child’s beloved stuffed animal friend, these annuals are helpful in a lot of situations.

They’re a colorful choice for mixed beds or perennial borders. Their compact, bushy form is ideal for filling in the spaces in front of long-stemmed, tall H. annuus varieties in a garden or landscape.

With large blooms on sturdy stems, they’re a top choice for cutting gardens and make attractive floral arrangements.

Since they bloom over a period of five weeks or more, you will have an ample supply to fill your vases.

Gardeners who want to attract pollinators will appreciate this variety, as will anyone who wants to save seeds for planting next year.

This cultivar is open-pollinated, so provided you are not growing it near any other H. annuus varieties, saved seed should produce flowers that are true to the parent plant.

They’re also a fine choice for growing in containers – or just about anywhere in the garden where they can get ample sun.

Since they’re so easy to grow and so charming, I also consider them a standout choice for a children’s garden.

Growing Tips

All of the advice from our guide to growing sunflowers applies to this petite variety.

To recap, H. annuus thrives in a full sun location, with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Plants require organically rich, loose, well-draining soil.

For this cultivar in particular, here are a few tips:

1. Sow Seeds at the Right Time

Despite all the volunteers that you might have seen sprouting beneath your bird feeder, the safest bet for outdoor sowing is to wait for the soil temperature to reach 65-85˚F. This is the optimal temperature for successful germination. Alternatively, you can start seeds indoors.

2. Give Them Enough Room

They may not grow to the lofty heights of some of their H. annuus relatives, but ‘Teddy Bear’ sunflowers have a bushy growth habit. Space plants 18-24 inches apart.

3. Protect Young Plants

Birds, rabbits, squirrels and the like are fond of munching on the seedlings. Protect them with row covers or bird netting if you have trouble with those marauders in your garden.

4. Give Them Enough Time to Grow

It’s only a very general rule of thumb that smaller edibles grow more quickly. In this case, similar to a miniature winter squash, ‘Teddy Bear’ sunflowers take just as long to bloom as many of their much larger relatives. They may be short in stature, but they still need 75 days or so from planting to produce their gorgeous blooms.

5. Deadhead Regularly

If you cut spent blooms consistently, it will encourage the stems to produce more flowers throughout the season.

6. Avoid Pesticides on Edibles

Avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides at any time during the growing process if you intend to consume the petals, or the seeds.