PlotPal

Mexican Sunflower

Mexican Sunflower is listed botanically as Tithonia rotundifolia. It may also be listed as clavel de muerto, red-sunflower, sunflower. Fast-growing warm-season annual with tall branching stems and vivid orange to red daisy-like flowers that draw butterflies and other pollinators. PlotPal's canonical care record lists full sun and lower water needs. The current taxonomy reference places it in the genus Tithonia and in the family Asteraceae. Its source-backed growth habit is listed as forb/herb. PlotPal currently carries Mexican Sunflower as an outdoor growing and flower reference. Growing note: Grow in full sun and ordinary well-drained soil. Avoid rich fertilizer, which encourages excessive leafy growth. Pinch young plants for branching and deadhead if you want to limit self-seeding. Propagation or sowing note: Direct sow after frost once soil is warm, or start indoors a few weeks earlier and transplant after cold weather has passed. Plant-health prevention note: Space plants generously and avoid keeping foliage continuously wet. Pest-prevention note: Protect seedlings from slugs and inspect new growth for aphids; established plants usually need little intervention. Common pests in the reference include Aphids, Slugs. Common plant-health issues in the reference include Powdery mildew. Use this guide as practical growing context, then adjust decisions to the actual weather, soil, container or bed, variety, and conditions in your garden.