Valentine
Helianthus annuus
Photo: Didier Descouens · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sturdy stems with 3-4" blooms. Valentine blooms later than Buttercream by approximately 10 days, making it a good choice for sowing at the same time for succession harvest of light yellow blooms. Valentine's stems are stronger, and petals are shorter, rounder, and more lemon-yellow in color than Buttercream's very pale blooms. Stem length is 25-45". Day neutral. Bears pollen; good for bee forage. Branching. FleuroSelect Quality Award Winner.
Harvest
75-85d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Valentine in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Valentine · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – August | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 11 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January – January | January – February | January – March | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – July | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – June | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – May | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – April | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | February – April | — |
Succession Planting
Valentine sunflowers are worth succession sowing — a single sowing gives you a 7-to-10-day harvest window, and then it's done. In zone 7, direct sow every 2 to 3 weeks from April 1 through early June. Stop by mid-June; seeds started after that will try to bloom during the hottest stretch of August, and temperatures above 95°F during bud formation can cause poor petal development and shorter stems. That gives you roughly 3 or 4 staggered cuts running from mid-July into September.
If you want earlier blooms, start seeds indoors in late February or early March and transplant out after your last frost (typically mid-March to early April in zone 7). Sunflowers don't take well to root disturbance — get them in the ground before they clear 4 inches tall and disturb the root ball as little as possible.
Complete Growing Guide
Valentine sunflowers thrive best when direct sown into the garden after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have reached at least 50°F, ideally 60°F or warmer. Unlike some sunflower varieties that benefit from early indoor starts, Valentine's sturdy stems and branching habit make them well-suited to direct sowing, which also reduces transplant shock. Plant seeds about one inch deep, spacing them 12-18 inches apart to accommodate their vigorous growth habit and expected height of 25-45 feet. Prepare your planting area with well-draining soil enriched with compost; sunflowers are not particularly fussy about soil fertility, but loose, well-worked earth encourages stronger root systems that support those characteristic sturdy stems Valentine is known for.
Water deeply but infrequently once seedlings emerge, aiming for about one inch per week through consistent soaking rather than daily sprinkles. This encourages deep rooting and builds the stem strength that makes Valentine superior for cutting. During peak summer heat, you may need to increase frequency, but always check soil moisture before watering. Fertilize modestly—excessive nitrogen produces leafy growth at the expense of blooms. A balanced fertilizer applied every three to four weeks is sufficient; Valentine doesn't require heavy feeding to perform well.
One distinctive advantage of Valentine is its later bloom time, arriving approximately ten days after Buttercream. Plant both varieties simultaneously to create succession harvests of complementary yellow tones throughout the season. The lemon-yellow blooms and shorter, rounder petals that define Valentine appear later, extending your cutting window without additional plantings.
Watch for spider mites and powdery mildew, both common challenges in sunflowers during hot, dry conditions. Valentine's branching growth habit can trap moisture between stems, increasing mildew risk in humid climates; ensure adequate air circulation by not overcrowding plants. The pollen-bearing flowers attract beneficial pollinators but also draw sunflower beetles and seed weevils—monitor regularly for pest damage on both foliage and developing flower buds.
The critical technique many gardeners overlook with Valentine is proper branching management. This variety naturally produces multiple stems from the main stalk, but pinching out the central growing tip when plants reach 12-18 inches tall encourages even bushier growth and more uniform branching, resulting in a fuller plant with abundant 3-4 inch blooms rather than one large terminal flower. This simple pruning step significantly increases your harvest of those prized sturdy stems.
Stake or trellis tall specimens, particularly if you're growing them in windy locations. Despite Valentine's reputation for strong stems, the weight of multiple flowers can benefit from support, ensuring the straightness that makes them exceptional for arrangements.
Harvesting
Valentine reaches harvest at 75 - 85 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 3-4" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
Seeds are ovoid and somewhat flattened
Color: Black, Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall
Edibility: Seeds are used for cooking oil, livestock feed, and as a snack food or garnish. Petals are edible and young flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.
Storage & Preservation
Keep cut Valentine blooms in clean vases filled with fresh, cool water (65-70°F). Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle to maintain water uptake. Properly harvested and conditioned blooms last 7-10 days indoors, longer in cool rooms. Store away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight, which accelerates petal drop. For longer storage, condition freshly cut stems in deep, cool water for 4-6 hours before arranging. Blooms can be gently dried by hanging small bunches upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks—dried Valentine blooms retain their soft yellow color and lemon-like fragrance. Press individual petals between newspaper for 1-2 weeks to create dried botanical elements for crafts. Freezing is not recommended as flower tissue damage occurs upon thawing.
History & Origin
Valentine is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Western United States
Advantages
- +Sturdy stems support 3-4" blooms without staking or support
- +Later blooming than Buttercream enables succession planting from single sowing
- +Vibrant lemon-yellow petals more saturated than pale Buttercream variety
- +FleuroSelect Quality Award Winner indicates superior genetics and performance
- +Excellent bee forage with pollen production supports pollinator health
Considerations
- -Branching habit requires more space than single-stem varieties
- -75-85 day maturity is longer than quick-maturing sunflower options
- -Later bloom timing may miss early season market demand windows
Companion Plants
Marigolds (French marigolds, Tagetes patula) and nasturtiums both pull double duty near Valentine sunflowers — they attract aphid predators like lacewings and act as a draw crop for Aphis helianthi, which is a real help in zone 7 Georgia summers when aphid pressure peaks in June. Alyssum and cosmos bring in parasitic wasps that keep caterpillar and aphid populations in check. Keep mint well away — it spreads through underground runners and will muscle into the 12–18 inch spacing these sunflowers need before you notice it's a problem. Black walnut belongs nowhere near this bed; juglone, the compound its roots release, moves through the soil far enough to reach plants you thought were a safe distance away, and sunflowers don't shrug it off.
Plant Together
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects
Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and provides ground cover
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles
Petunias
Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs
Lavender
Deters pests with strong fragrance and attracts pollinators
Cosmos
Attract beneficial insects and provide structural support
Chives
Repel aphids and improve soil health with sulfur compounds
Zinnia
Attract butterflies and beneficial predatory insects
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowers
Mint
Aggressive spreading habit can overwhelm and compete with flowers
Eucalyptus
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit nearby plant growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites
Troubleshooting Valentine
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Leaves curling and sticky, with small clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides of leaves
Likely Causes
- Aphid infestation (likely Aphis helianthi, the sunflower aphid) — populations can explode fast in warm weather
- Ant colonies farming the aphids for honeydew, which protects them from predators
What to Do
- 1.Hit the colonies hard with a strong stream of water from the hose — knocks most of them off and they don't climb back up easily
- 2.Spray with insecticidal soap (diluted to 2 tablespoons per quart of water) on the undersides of leaves in the early morning
- 3.Check for ant trails up the stem; if ants are present, wrap the base with a sticky barrier tape to cut off their access
Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves, with tiny moving dots and leaves going pale or bronze-speckled
Likely Causes
- Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — thrives when temperatures push above 90°F and humidity drops
- Drought stress, which weakens the plant's ability to fend off mite damage
What to Do
- 1.Water consistently at the base — mites are worse on stressed, dry plants
- 2.Spray affected foliage with neem oil (mixed at 2 tablespoons per gallon with a few drops of dish soap) in the evening to avoid leaf burn
- 3.For heavy infestations, remove the worst-affected leaves and dispose of them away from the bed
Seedling stems pinched off at soil level overnight, with no visible insects on the plant
Likely Causes
- Cutworm (Agrotis spp.) — larvae hide in the soil during the day and feed at night
- Freshly turned or heavily composted soil, which attracts egg-laying moths
What to Do
- 1.Press a 3-inch cardboard or plastic collar 1 inch into the soil around each seedling stem immediately after transplanting
- 2.Scratch the soil around cut plants in the morning — you'll likely find the curled larva within 2-3 inches of the base; dispose of it
- 3.For repeat pressure, apply Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt) to the soil surface around seedlings
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Valentine take to grow from seed to first bloom?▼
Should I start Valentine seeds indoors or direct sow in the garden?▼
How does Valentine compare to Buttercream? Why plant both?▼
Can I grow Valentine in containers or does it need garden beds?▼
How often should I cut Valentine blooms to keep the plant producing?▼
What's the best way to condition Valentine stems for longer vase life?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.