12 Of The World's Tallest Sunflowers You Can Grow To Impress Neighbors

There is nothing as cheery and uplifting as a blooming sunflower. Their bright petals and huge seedheads are iconic, and certain varieties of sunflowers grow pretty tall. If you are aiming to beat the Guinness World Record for the tallest sunflower or simply want to impress your neighbors with your gardening skills, there are loads of tall sunflower varieties to choose from. Giant sunflower cultivars include 'American Giant' and 'Paul Bunyan,' which can grow over 8 feet, with some reaching 15 feet in height. 

To grow tall sunflowers, it is essential that you place them in a sunny spot. They thrive in well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, so you may wish to check the soil before planting out your sunflowers and make any necessary amendments. The best time of year to plant sunflowers is in the spring, once the threat of frost has passed. You can start them indoors in biodegradable pots or directly sow them into your soil outside. You will need to water your sunflowers regularly at first to help them establish themselves. Once they have, sunflowers need an inch of water a week and to be watered when you apply fertilizer. Caring for your sunflowers through sunshine, water, and feed will help them to grow tall. 

The 'Giant Single' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Giant Single') can grow to around 13 feet in the right conditions. It is a fast-growing variety with large, brown seed heads and fluffy golden petals that surround it. With a long, strong, single stem, the 'Giant Single' races upwards towards the sunshine when planted before blooming into a beautiful flower. This variety is easy to grow and will attract bees and birds into your garden. After the sunflower reaches its ultimate height, you can watch wildlife flock to its center for food and nourishment. 

Its name really sets the scene when it comes to this plant! The 'Titan' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Titan') can grow to 12 feet in height with huge flower heads that can be as big as 24 inches in diameter. The seedhead contains a beautiful array of colors, with stunning hues of yellow, orange, and brown. Its petals are long and golden, with each flower standing on a thick stem. The large, striped seeds it produces are great for eating, too. Collect them and roast them in the fall, unless you want to leave them for the birds to enjoy. 

The 'Giraffe' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Giraffe') can grow over 14 feet in height. Its thick, sturdy stem is decorated with large, bristly green leaves, creating wonderful foliage for your yard. The flowers on each stem can grow to a diameter of over 12 inches. The seedheads of the 'Giraffe' are dark brown in color, with bright yellow ray florets framing them. 'Giraffe' sunflowers are one of the tallest cultivars available. However, the seeds aren't that common in U.S. seed catalogs! It is worth having a look around for some, though, as these giants are amazing. 

The 'American Giant' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'American Giant') can produce plants that reach 14 feet in height. Large, hairy, heart-shaped leaves cover the stems, which have a singular flower sitting at the top. The flowers that the 'American Giants' grow can get to around 12 inches in diameter. The petals are a stunning golden color, and the huge central seedheads are brown or yellow. This cultivar is a favorite for many sunflower growers. It is easy to care for, and with a little TLC, you will be able to grow strong, tall flowers from seed. 

At 12 feet in height, the 'Kong' sunflower hybrid (Helianthus annuus 'Kong') is shorter than other varieties on the list. However, its large leaves and beautiful blooms make up for this! The flowers on this plant reach a diameter of 4 to 6 inches, with smaller seedheads and longer petals. The branching stems of the 'Kong' hybrid sunflower tend to have multiple heads, which makes it great if you want to create a dense wall of foliage and flowers. This also makes this variety bloom for longer, allowing you to enjoy flowers throughout the summer months. 

The sunflower 'Mammoth Russian' (Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth Russian') can grow to around 12 feet in height, with each stem producing one singular flower. However, the singular flower is all this variety needs to make an impression! With a width of around 12 inches, the 'Mammoth Russian' flower has a huge seedhead that comes in hues of gold, yellow, and orange. The long, wavy petals surround the seedhead, creating a wonderful, rippling appearance. The prominent seedheads also produce pretty big seeds, which are great to collect and cook with in the fall.

Named after the mythical lumberjack giant, the 'Paul Bunyan' sunflower hybrid (Helianthus annuus 'Paul Bunyan') is a fantastic choice if you want to grow huge sunflowers. Like its namesake, this cultivar is strong and mighty. It can reach 15 feet in height when grown in the right conditions, with each stem holding its own flower. The large flower has a brownish-red seedhead and long, deep yellow petals. This beauty is one of the tallest varieties of sunflower you can get, so head to your local gardening store and see if they stock 'Paul Bunyan' seeds.

The 'Mammoth Grey Stripe' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth Grey Stripe') can reach 12 feet in height, with its individual flowers growing to around 12 inches in diameter. Each flower has ruffled, bright yellow petals that decorate a large seedhead, which itself displays hues of yellow, orange, and brown. The stems are sturdy and covered in large, rich green leaves. This cultivar is fairly easy to grow, and its seedheads are great for attracting birds, bees, and other pollinators into your yard. You can also harvest and roast them yourself for a tasty snack. 

The 'Giant Primrose' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Giant Primrose') has multiple blooms on each stem, which creates a beautiful scene full of color and life. This variety can reach 12 feet tall, but it may need support if its huge blooms start to weigh it down. The individual flowers are pale yellow in color, with long, thin petals that circle the seedhead in a uniform pattern. The seedhead can be brown or orange and slightly smaller than seedheads found on other sunflower giants. A cheery addition to your garden, the 'Giant Primrose' sunflower is big and bold. 

Growing up to 15 feet tall, the 'Pike's Peak' sunflower variety (Helianthus annuus 'Pike's Peak) is an impressive bloom to have in your yard. Its seedhead is a gorgeous golden color, with long, bright petals creating a fluffy appearance. The flowers of 'Pike's Peak' can reach 14 inches in diameter, creating beautiful disks of brightness. The seeds that the seedhead contains are also extra large, perfect for birds to snack on once the flowers turn. With a super thick stalk, the 'Pike's Peak' sunflower is tough and easy to take care of. 

With an incredibly wide seedhead that can grow to 18 inches, the 'Mongolian Giant' sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Mongolian Giant') is a great option to pick if you are looking for awe-inspiring garden blooms. This sunflower is fast-growing and can reach up to 14 feet in height once it gets going. The 'Mongolian Giant' has a single flower on each stem, with raggedy orange and yellow petals surrounding its huge seedhead. Its seedhead has hues of orange, green, and yellow that can sometimes appear in rings. Like many of these giants, these large seeds can be eaten. 

The 'Skyscraper' sunflower variety (Helianthus annuus 'Skyscraper') really lives up to its name. This cultivar can grow to 12 feet in height, with its bright yellow blooms reaching 14 inches in diameter. It is a branching sunflower variety, producing multiple flowers on each stalk, making it a perfect plant to add privacy to your yard. The seedheads appear in shades of brown, orange, and yellow, bursting with fresh, edible seeds. You may need to support your 'Skyscraper' flowers with staking if they get super tall, as the weight of their multiple blooms can cause them to strain.