Care Tips:

With proper care, sunflowers should last from six to twelve days. To maximize the vase life, look for flowers that are just starting to fully open. Choose strong, straight stems with perky flowers that look at you. Once home follow a few simple care tips to extend the life of your blooms:

  1. When you get home, stand the wrapped flowers in water so they can get a good drink while you’re getting the vase ready.
  2. Fill a vase with water and allow it to come to room temperature.  If you’re using floral foam, let it soak until it is fully saturated and sinks to the bottom.
  4. An deal choice as a sentiment and get well gift, sunflowers convey pure and lofty thoughts. 
  5. Slant cut the stems to the desired length, cutting at least ½” from the bottom.  Flower stems naturally begin to seal their ends, so cutting them helps the flower to take in fresh clean water and extends their vase life. The shorter the stem the more water will feed the bloom.
  6. Remove any leaves that will be submerged as these will rot over time.
  7. Arrange stems to your liking, varying the height and position.  Add other flowers to the arrangement once all the sunflowers are positioned.
  8. Sunflowers are thirsty flowers, so check the water frequently and add fresh water to fill the vase.
  9. Change the water if it starts looking cloudy, rinse the stems clean.  You may also want to recut the stems under water to help the flower uptake water.
  10. Continue to remove spent leaves to keep the bouquet looking fresh longer. 

About Sunflowers:

With bright yellow petals and vibrant energy, sunflowers are the happiest of flowers. Symbolizing longevity, loyalty, and adoration, no flower lifts the spirit quite like sunflowers. A simple bouquet adds indoor sunshine to a room, brightening the day and evoking feelings of warmth, cheerfulness, and happiness.

Sunflowers have an unmistakable resemblance to their namesake. But did you know that as sunflowers grow, they actually follow the sun each day? Their heads face the east in the morning as the sun rises, turn throughout the day to follow its track from east to west, finally facing back to the east at night to greet the next day.

The color palette of sun flowers is eye catching as they come in vibrant orange, red, yellow, white and even lime green! 

Sunflowers are native to North America and have been cultivated for centuries as a food source that’s high in vitamin E and thought to lower cholesterol. Both the seeds and oil have an irresistible nutty flavor. Although cut sunflowers are harvested before seeds form, they can be a good reminder to stock up on this delicious snack!

Sunflowers have also long been an inspiration to artists for their natural beauty. Impressionist art is famous for its fascination with the sunflower. They’re synonymous with Vincent Van Gogh, who painted two different series of sunflowers in shades of bright yellow, deep blue, and subtle browns to decorate his home in Arles.

Sunflowers open faces convey warmth and happiness.


Sunflowers come in wide variety of sizes and colors, ranging from small to large blooms in brilliant yellows, sunset reds, and every hue in between. With strong, towering stems and vibrant shades, sunflowers create a big impact even from a distance.

Great on their own, sunflowers also pair well with smaller flowers and foliage to be the ones turning heads! From simple arrangements and stylish silhouettes to opulent arrangements for special occasions, sunflowers are an inspiring choice:


Arrange yellow sunflowers in a glass vase lined with large leathery foliage to radiate pure sunshine. Their long, gracefully arched necks look best in a tall narrow vase that supports their height and display their large flowers a few inches above the rim.


For a tall striking centerpiece, balance sunflowers with sprays of slender dark blue delphiniums in colors that borrow from Van Gogh.


Combine coral roses, purple orchids, and yellow sunflowers to create a lush centerpiece. Add purple dahlias to mix up the height and texture.

Get Well:

Sunflowers are the ultimate feel good gift to brighten someone’s day.  For a cheerful, optimistic bouquet, pair white roses, snap dragons, and chrysanthemums with sunflowers.  Vary the heights and mix in greens for fullness and texture.


Synonymous with adoration, available year-round, and affordable, sunflowers are the perfect wedding flower! They add a bright splash of color next to the bride’s white gown. Combine with mums and carnations in shades of orange, white, or purple for added color and contrast.

The use of sunflower images were also used as religious symbols, worshipped by The Incans and an inspiration to Vincent Van Gogh.

What to know

Rules of thumb

  2. Arrange sunflowers at varying heights to contrast colors and sizes.
  3. Arrange all the sunflowers first then add other flowers to ensure even space.
  4. The warmer the room, the shorter the vase life. For longest life, place sunflowers in a cool place, away from drafts, fresh fruit, radiators or direct sunlight.

Rescue Tips

  1. Who hasn’t been disappointed at finding their sunflowers sadly hanging their heads down?  This happens when air has traveled up the stem, blocking the flow of water. Luckily this can be easily remedied!
  2. To revive drooping heads, re-cut the stem and submerge the full stem back in water to rehydrate the blooms.

Fun Facts

  1. Although bright and attractive, sunflowers do not produce a fragrance.
  2. Sunflowers are the 3rd wedding anniversary flower.
  3. They’re also the state flower of Kansas.


John Henry Floral Fan Deck App