False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

annual1.5×0.8 mzone 3–9light shade

Will it grow where I live?

False Sunflower is hardy to zone 3 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 3 upwards.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family: Asteraceae
Habit: annual
Height: 1.5 m
Spread: 0.8 m
Growth: medium
Lifespan: 10 years
First yield: after 2 years
Hardiness: zone 3–9
Shade tolerance: light shade
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture: dry – very wet
pH: 5.5 – 7
Synonyms: Oxeye, Smooth oxeye

Flowering & harvest

	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Flowering
Fruit harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible1 of 10

Medicinal2 of 10

Other uses3 of 10

Growing

Heliopsis helianthoides prefers sunny to partly shaded sites with well-drained, moderately moist soil. The plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in various soil types including loam, sand and clay. Sow in spring or autumn; propagate by division or cuttings. Regular deadheading of spent flowers promotes a longer flowering period. Cutting back in late spring can reduce height and encourage branching.

Frequently asked questions

False Sunflower: how big does it get?

False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 1.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 0.8 m. Growth is medium.

False Sunflower: what site does it need?

False Sunflower tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – very wet. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

False Sunflower: is it hardy?

False Sunflower is listed as hardy in zone 3–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

False Sunflower: will it grow in Central Europe?

False Sunflower is hardy to zone 3 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 3 upwards.

False Sunflower: when does it flower?

In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers from June to September.

False Sunflower: when is it harvested?

In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate the fruit ripens from September to November.

False Sunflower: is it poisonous?

Individual parts of False Sunflower are noted as mildly problematic — the plant does not count as poisonous. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone, only on a confident identification.

False Sunflower: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 1/10, Medicinal 2/10, Other uses 3/10.

Community experience

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