Description

🌻 Tithonia, commonly known as Mexican sunflower, is a vibrant and hardy flowering plant that adds fiery color and pollinator appeal to gardens. Here’s a quick guide to understanding and growing this beauty:

🌿 Overview of Tithonia

• Botanical Name: Tithonia rotundifolia
• Common Names: Mexican sunflower, tree marigold
• Family: Asteraceae
• Native Region: Mexico and Central America
• Plant Type: Annual (in most climates), perennial in tropical zones

🌞 Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
• Soil: Well-drained, lean soil (sandy or rocky preferred)
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
• Height: 4–6 feet tall (some dwarf varieties like ‘Fiesta del Sol’ grow 2–3 feet)
• Spacing: 18–24 inches apart

🌸 Flower Features

• Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
• Colors: Bright orange, red, or yellow
• Size: 3–4 inch daisy-like blooms
• Pollinators: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds

🌱 Care Tips

• Deadheading: Encourages more blooms
• Staking: May be needed for taller varieties
• Propagation: Easily grown from seed; sow after last frost or start indoors
• Companion Plants