Mexican Sunflower Seeds — Tithonia Mix

A Bold and Brilliant Summer Statement — Glowing Orange and Orange-Red Blooms on a Towering, Tropical-Looking Plant

Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower) is one of the most spectacular and rewarding annuals you can grow — a big, bold, tropical-looking plant that delivers an extraordinary display of glowing orange and orange-red daisy-like flowers from summer through to autumn. Growing to around 1.2m tall, it forms a substantial, bushy plant with large velvety leaves and an abundance of brilliant blooms held on long, sturdy stems above the foliage. The flowers range from warm, bright orange to deeper orange-red — rich, saturated, and utterly eye-catching — and they are produced in great abundance over a long season, making Tithonia one of the most generous and long-flowering plants in the summer garden. An outstanding cut flower with long stems and long vase life, and an absolute magnet for butterflies and bees. If you want drama, colour, and life in your summer garden, Tithonia delivers in abundance.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🌸 Glowing orange and orange-red blooms all summer — rich, saturated flowers ranging from warm bright orange to deeper orange-red, produced in great abundance from summer through to autumn; one of the most generous and long-flowering summer annuals
• ✂️ Outstanding cut flower — long sturdy stems and long vase life make Tithonia a standout in summer arrangements; the vivid warm tones add drama and warmth to any posy
• 🦋 Irresistible to butterflies and bees — one of the best pollinator plants you can grow; butterflies in particular are drawn to the flowers in large numbers throughout the season
• 🌿 Bold, tropical-looking foliage — large, velvety, deeply lobed leaves give the plant a lush, exotic appearance that adds structure and drama to the border even before flowering begins
• 🌱 Easy to grow — grows to 1.2m — vigorous and fast-growing once established; well-suited to the back of the border or as a bold seasonal hedge or screen
• ☀️ Thrives in heat and sun — loves a warm, sunny position and performs exceptionally well in NZ summers; very drought tolerant once established

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow Tithonia in trays in spring once the risk of frost has passed, onto moist seed-raising mix at a depth of around 5mm. Transplant seedlings to 60–90cm apart in a warm, sunny position with well-drained soil — Tithonia needs space to develop into its full, bushy form. It thrives in heat and is very drought tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for warm, dry NZ summers. Stake plants in exposed positions. Cut flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming and extend the season as long as possible into autumn.

About This Mix

This packet contains a mix of two closely related Mexican Sunflower species — Tithonia diversifolia and Tithonia rotundifolia — both producing the characteristic vivid orange and orange-red blooms that make Tithonia such a beloved summer annual.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 15 seeds of Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia mix), with growing instructions included.