Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch')

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Herb/Forb
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Plant Height:	6 feet
Plant Spread:	2 feet
Leaves:	Unusual foliage color
Flowers:	Showy
Flower Color:	Orange
Flower Time:	Late summer or early fall Fall
Uses:	Cut Flower Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Butterflies
Propagation: Seeds:	Needs specific temperature: 65 to 85° Days to germinate: 7 to 21 Depth to plant seed: 1 inches Suitable for wintersowing Sow in situ
Containers:	Not suitable for containers
Awards and Recognitions:	AAS (All-America Selection®): 1951 National

Common names

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Comments:

Posted by SCButtercup (Simpsonville SC - Zone 7b) on Aug 28, 2014 4:47 AM concerning plant:

Seeds have low germination, but you only need one or two plants to put on a huge display. Plants grow huge and I found it helpful to put a plant support near the stem, which becomes like a trunk with branches covered with orange flowers! It is worth the trouble to germinate the seeds.

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Posted by calconey (Central Ohio - Zone 6a) on May 15, 2014 4:03 PM concerning plant:

This plant can get quite monstrous with good soil and adequate watering. Mine were 7' last year and covered in flowers. No need to fertilize if you have good organic content.

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Posted by langleyb30 (Jacksonville, Florida) on Aug 11, 2018 6:19 AM concerning plant:

Haha! I have to chuckle about this plant! This is my second year growing this plant here in Jacksonville, Fl, zone 9a. Mine are monsters! Covered with flowers and covered with butterflies of all kinds! I grow them for my Monarchs, but the swallowtails, zebra longwings, sulphurs, gulf fritillary, moths and bees are all over it too! I have to trim the lower branches once it gets to 4 or 5' tall to keep it from just lying over completely. Every day I deadhead and I'm saving those for the seeds. Be sure to plant yours towards the back of your flowers but where you can get to them for pruning! It's a joy to watch the life they bring to your garden!

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Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms	On March 9, 2016	Seeds germinated
lovesblooms	On March 5, 2016	Seeds sown indoors under lights, no treatment
lovesblooms	On May 6, 2015	Seeds germinated from flat sowing, no H202 soak
lovesblooms	On May 2, 2015	Seeds sown after overnight H202/water soak
piksihk	On March 15, 2017	Seeds sown frt bed/trellis Mst; sow more seeds 4/2 pot

Discussion Threads about this plant

Thread Title	Last Reply	Replies
Mexican sunflower by Mciuro	Aug 11, 2018 7:16 PM	1

Tithonia Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch')