Sunflowers can be potted or planted directly outside in the garden. Potting is a great way to get started, but there are certain advantages and challenges to both methods.
When potted, sunflowers start off with a head, start on growing, as they benefit from a controlled environment. The soil and other growing conditions can easily be adjusted depending on the needs of the flower. The pot also acts as an efficient barrier against weeds and pests while providing good drainage for water.
On the downside, when grown in pots, sunflowers may grow too quickly, which can result in poor blooms due to increased competition for nutrients between multiple plants. This leads to reduced flower quality. Additionally, if not planted outdoors at the right time of year, these plants will not have access to enough sunlight and could die from a lack of exposure to natural conditions.
Outdoor planting provides sufficient access to sunlight, better ventilation, and less competition among flowers resulting in larger blooms with more robust colors and shapes when compared to their indoor-grown counterparts. If planted after the threat of frost has passed through your region, they will thrive until harvest season arrives, bringing a bounty of gorgeous flowers that were nurtured by Mother Nature herself!