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Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflower)

Mexican Sunflower, Goldflower of the Incas, Mexican Marigold, Tithonia Speciosa

Tithonia Rotundifolia, Mexican Sunflower, goldflower of the Incas, Mexican Marigold, Tithonia Speciosa, Tithonia Fiesta del Sol, Tithonia Torch, annual plant, Annual Plants

Thriving in the summer heat, Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is a warm weather annual featuring showy daisy flowers, up to 3 in. across (7 cm), in shades of brilliant orange and yellow from midsummer until fall. Very attractive and eye-catching, with abundant and joyful blossoms for weeks, this vigorous annual plant creates a striking visual impact in the garden. Fabulous looking when combined with the blues of Mealy-Cup sage (Salvia farinacea) or the purples of Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis), it is spectacular at the back of borders where it will steal the show!

  • Fairly pest-free and low maintenance, add this charming and graceful plant to the landscape, and you will be rewarded with an army of butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators and beneficial insects.
  • Vigorously growing up to 4-6 ft. high (120-180 cm) and spreading up to 2-3ft. (60-90 cm), this bushy plant features large leaves, heart-shaped to lobed, and covered with soft hair that deer ignore. Mexican Flower is an ideal addition to beds and borderscottage gardens, gravel gardens, and cutting gardens, as it makes excellent fresh-cut flowers.
  • Performs best in full sun, in averagedry to medium moisturewell-drained soilsDry and poor soils are tolerated, but rich, fertile soils should be avoided as the plant may develop excess foliage. Do not over-fertilize as it will promote foliage more than flowers and may also cause the plants to topple. This plant is heat, and drought tolerant.
  • May be grown from seeds or live plants. Sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed or indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last spring frost date.
  • Pinching off dead blossoms will promote continuous blooming. Staking may be required.
  • The most popular Mexican Sunflower varieties are:
    Tithonia ‘Fiesta del Sol’ – dwarf cultivar reaching 2-3 ft. height (60-90 cm) with single, orange daisy flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). Heat and humidity resistant. 2000 All America Selections Winner
    Tithonia ‘Torch’ – cultivar reaching 3-4 ft. height (90-120 cm) with single, orange-scarlet daisy flowers,3-4 in. across (7-9 cm).

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Compositae
Common names Mexican Marigold, Mexican Sunflower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Cutting Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Recommended Companion Plants

Callistephus chinensis (China Aster)
Coreopsis ‘Mango Punch’ (Tickseed)
Ammi visnaga (Toothpick Weed)
Dahlia ‘New Baby’
Dahlia ‘Mrs Eileen’
Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ (Japanese Anemone)
Zinnia ‘Profusion’ Series
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Antirrhinum majus (Snapdragon)
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ (Purple Fountain Grass)
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Marmalade’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Zinnia elegans (Zinnia)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Great Summer Planting with Mexican Sunflower, Zinnia and Grasses
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Annuals
Plant Family Compositae
Common names Mexican Marigold, Mexican Sunflower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Cutting Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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