Sunflower Teddy Bear: The Dwarf Sunflower for Small Spaces
Teddy Bear sunflowers grow 2–3 feet tall with fuzzy, double yellow blooms. They’re the best sunflower for containers and kids.
Unlike towering 10-foot sunflowers, Teddy Bear stays compact and doesn’t need staking.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Days to sprout | 7-14 |
| Days to harvest | 60-90 |
| Sun | 6-8 hours |
| Spacing | 12 inches |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Flower size | 4-6 inches |
Why Grow It
- Compact. 2-3 feet tall.
- No staking needed. Stays upright.
- Fuzzy flowers. Unique texture.
- Kid-friendly. Fast growth, big flowers.
How It Fails
Failure 1: Leaning. Not enough sun, or too much wind. Failure 2: Small flowers. Too crowded. Failure 3: Birds eat seeds. Before germination. Cover.
Comparison
| Variety | Height | Flower | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teddy Bear | 2-3 ft | Double, fuzzy | 60-90 |
| Mammoth | 8-12 ft | Single, huge | 90-120 |
| Dwarf | 1-2 ft | Single | 55-65 |
| Autumn Beauty | 5-6 ft | Multi-color | 70-80 |
Common Questions
Why is my sunflower leaning? Not enough sun. Sunflowers track the sun.
Can I grow it in a container? Yes. 12-inch pot.
How tall does it get? 2-3 feet. Compact.
Do birds eat the seeds? Not until flowers fade. Then yes.
When do I harvest seeds? When back of flower head turns brown.
Do they come back every year? No. Annual.