Tithonia, Heirloom Torch Tithonia ~ 55 seeds

Sun Preference
Full-Sun
Bloom or Harvest Time
Summer, Fall
  $2.99

Description

Tithonia rotundifolia
Annual
Summer/fall bloom
Frost tender

A butterfly, bee, & hummingbird favorite!

Blazing Torch Tithonia is also known as Mexican Sunflower. These spectacular tall Central American natives bloom non-stop from midsummer, with multitudes of star shaped, 3 to 4 inch red-orange flowers on densely branching velvety stems. Maturing 4 to 6 feet high, tithonia plants are brilliant welcoming beacons for both Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies. These dramatic garden flowers offer a non-fussy, carefree way to fill your garden with a bright fiesta of color.

Seed Starting Successfully

Start your garden from scratch with Gertens' wide variety of seed packets! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we have seeds for every skill level and garden size. From colorful flowers to delicious vegetables, our seeds are carefully selected for their quality and performance.

Seed Starting Successfully

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From Our Experts

Details

Plant In: April – June
Sun/Shade: Full sun
Planting Depth: 1/2 inch
Space Seeds: 2 - 3 inches
Days to Germinate: 7 – 10 days 
Mature Height: 4 – 6 feet 

TO START OUTDOORS
In spring when all danger of frost is past and weather is warm and settled, sow seeds in well-worked soil in full sun. Space seeds 2 to 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, cover 1/2 inch deep and gently firm soil. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination in 7 to 10 days.

TO START EARLY INDOORS
Four to five weeks before last frost date, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in well drained seed starting mix. Keep warm and moist and provide a strong light source until seedlings are well established and ready to plant outdoors.

THIN OR TRANSPLANT
Space seedlings 10 to 12 inches apart when seedlings are large enough to handle to give these big plants room to mature.

GROWING NOTES
Tithonia grows readily in ordinary garden soil in full sun. Use as a living hedge or garden screen, especially effective with brightly colored zinnias planted in front of them. Kept well watered and weeded when young, mature plants can handle hot and dry conditions well. Given plenty of space, vigorous Tithonia plants will need no staking. 

More Information

Mature Height (Range) 49" - 60", 61" - 72"
Spacing in Row 2-3", thin to 10-12"
Days to Germination 7-10 days
Planting Depth 1/2"
Seed Packet Type Flowers
Plant Life Cycle Annual
Bloom or Harvest Time Summer, Fall
Sun Preference Full-Sun
Common Family Name Tithonia
Brand Renee's Garden

Product Questions (12)

Starting times will vary depending on the vegetable you are growing. Each seed packet will have specific sowing instructions for that type of vegetable. Some plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, should be started indoors, 6-8 weeks before the last frost...
The process of bringing seeds outside is called hardening off. Hardening off is generally done sometime after the seedling has two full sets of normal leaves. In Minnesota, you want to begin hardening off seedlings in late April/early May.  To ...
If you have a southern facing window with all day sun, you may grow seedlings in a windowsill. Be sure to rotate the seedlings frequently to ensure the plants do not lean heavily towards the sun. For more even results, use a grow light, positioned roughly...
We recommend using either high intensity T5 fluorescent bulbs, or LED grow lights. Both setups will produce excellent results. T5s are the typical grow light, are economical and come in frequencies that are helpful for plant development. LED technology...
Grow lights should be kept roughly 4-5” above the top of seedling leaves. If you are using very powerful LEDs, you could even keep them 8-10” away.
Grow lights should be used to mimic a natural sunlight cycle for plants. We recommend using them 12 hours a day, from roughly 7am to 7pm.  
A variety of seedling trays exist for seed starting. If you are starting smaller seeds, a simple peat cell tray works great. However, the larger the seed, the larger the initial pot should be. If you are starting larger seeds indoors such as: sunflowers...
Do not start any type of fertilizer regime for young seedlings until they have at least two full sets of regular leaves. Start with a root stimulator, then after a month you may move on to a gentle, weak (half strength) water-based fertilizer. Remember...
Let the roots tell you when to transplant. When you begin to see the seedling’s root growing out of the bottom of their current pot, it is time to transplant up to something larger. We recommend using a 4” nursery pot to transplant most seedlings. In...
Gertens carries a wide variety of both spring and autumn planted bulbs. Spring planted bulbs, such as gladioli and dahlias, are best started indoors in early April, and planted outside once the soil temperatures are above 55 F. Autumn planted bulbs, ...
The big three tips are: 1) Staking and training 2) Feeding and watering and 3) Harvesting and enjoying. 1) Keeping plants trained and staked allows air circulation around crops and provides much-needed support for produce as it grows...
Gertens does carry an assortment of both perennials, as well as annual and perennial wildflower mixes. It is important to remember when growing perennials, that you will not get any flowers the first year of growth. It often takes a perennial 2-3 years...
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