Sunflower Teddy Bear Flower Seeds
A dwarf sunflower producing fluffy, golden-yellow double blooms with a distinctive pom-pom appearance. Teddy Bear brings cheerful colour and texture to pots, sunny borders and smaller gardens.
This open-pollinated variety develops branching plants with several flowers. Its soft-looking blooms make it an appealing choice for children’s gardens and small floral arrangements.
Grow in a sunny position with well-drained soil and regular moisture for healthy growth and flowering.
Seed and Plant Details
Why Grow Teddy Bear Sunflowers?
- Distinctive flowers add texture to seasonal displays.
- A manageable choice for patio pots and small gardens.
- Useful along sunny paths and towards the front of borders.
- An appealing variety for children to grow from seed.
- Suitable for garden colour and small bouquets.
Garden Displays and Cut Flowers
Plant Teddy Bear in groups along sunny borders or grow in containers near outdoor seating areas. Its rounded flowers combine well with contrasting foliage and other seasonal blooms.
For arrangements, select fresh flowers that are opening well and showing their double form. Cut during the cooler part of the day, place promptly in clean water and remove leaves below the waterline.
How to Grow Teddy Bear Sunflowers
- Choose a growing position. Select a sunny garden bed or a container with drainage holes.
- Prepare the soil. Loosen the planting area and incorporate mature compost where needed. Use quality potting mix in containers.
- Sow the seeds. Plant approximately 1 cm deep and water gently. Direct sowing avoids disturbing developing roots.
- Maintain moisture. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without waterlogging it until seedlings establish.
- Allow room to develop. Thin crowded seedlings. If raising plants in individual pots, transplant while young with minimal root disturbance.
- Water and feed as needed. Water thoroughly when the soil begins to dry. Feed container plants according to the fertiliser label.
- Enjoy the flowers. Leave blooms for garden colour or cut selected stems. Remove faded heads carefully, preserving developing buds.
When to Sow Teddy Bear Sunflowers in Australia
Use these seasonal windows as a general guide. Adjust sowing to local frost dates, soil warmth and extreme weather, allowing approximately three months of suitable growing conditions.
| Climate Zone | General Sowing Time | Growing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold / Cool | Late spring–early summer | Sow after frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed. |
| Temperate | Spring–early summer | Later sowings suit areas with a long, warm autumn. |
| Subtropical | Spring–autumn | Choose warm, frost-free periods and avoid prolonged waterlogging. |
| Tropical | Autumn–spring | Prefer the drier months and provide regular watering. |
| Arid | Spring; early autumn in mild areas | Avoid frost and extreme heat. Provide dependable irrigation. |
Germination and Sowing Information
Growing in Pots and Containers
Choose a stable container with drainage holes and enough room for roots to develop. Fill with quality potting mix and place where plants receive plenty of direct sunlight.
Avoid overcrowding small pots. Check moisture frequently during hot or windy weather, and allow excess water to drain freely.
Tips for Growing Teddy Bear Sunflowers
- Choose a sunny position for sturdy growth and flowering.
- Direct sow where possible, or transplant young seedlings gently.
- Protect seeds and seedlings from birds, slugs and snails.
- Water at soil level and avoid keeping the ground saturated.
- Mulch established plants, keeping mulch clear of stems.
- Check containers regularly during warm weather.
- Remove faded heads without damaging nearby buds, or retain selected heads for seed saving.
- Provide light support if plants lean in exposed positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Teddy Bear suitable for pots?
Yes. Use a container with drainage holes and sufficient root space, positioned in good sunlight.
Is this the same as Giant Teddy Bear?
No. This description is for the dwarf Teddy Bear variety. Giant Teddy Bear is a taller selection.
Are the flowers pollen-free?
Teddy Bear should not be described as pollen-free. Its double flowers differ from sunflower hybrids specifically bred for pollen-free blooms.
Should I start seeds in trays?
Direct sowing is convenient. Alternatively, use individual pots and transplant young seedlings with their roots intact.
Should I remove spent flowers?
Remove faded heads to keep plants tidy, preserving developing buds. Leave selected heads to mature if you want to collect seed.
Can I save seed from Teddy Bear?
Yes, where viable seed develops. Sunflowers can cross-pollinate with other varieties, so isolation is needed to maintain the variety’s characteristics.
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