{"product_id":"giant-striped-sunflower-heirloom-seeds","title":"Giant Striped Sunflower Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiant Striped Sunflower (\u003cem\u003eHelianthus annuus\u003c\/em\u003e) traces its lineage to the ancient sunflowers cultivated by Indigenous peoples of North America thousands of years before European contact — grown for food, oil, dye, and ceremony. The “striped” in the name refers to the distinctive black-and-white striped seeds that made this variety a dual-purpose garden workhorse: massive blooms for the garden and abundant seeds for the table. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, this heirloom variety has been saved and passed down through generations of seed savers who prized it for both its dramatic presence and its generous harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–90 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–18 inches in diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor\/Appearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Classic golden-yellow petals with dark brown centers; large striped black-and-white seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 feet tall; stout, sturdy single stalk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Annual; single-stemmed (monoculture head)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiant Striped sunflower seeds are mild, nutty, and slightly sweet — excellent roasted with sea salt or pressed for oil. Far larger and meatier than modern commercial varieties. The seeds are easy to shell after roasting and make a satisfying, protein-rich snack straight from the garden. Birds and wildlife love them too, making this a natural garden feeder after harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiant Striped Sunflowers grow on a single thick stalk and produce one enormous flower head per plant. Under normal conditions expect seed heads 12–15 inches across with hundreds of seeds per head; in rich, deeply prepared soil with consistent sun, heads can reach 18 inches or more. A row of 10 plants can yield a season’s worth of roasted seeds with plenty left over for birds and seed saving.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDisease Resistance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood natural resistance to most common fungal diseases when planted with good airflow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModerately susceptible to downy mildew in wet, humid conditions — avoid overhead watering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVerticillium wilt can affect plants in cool, wet soils — plant in well-draining locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSunflower moth and birds can damage developing seed heads — row cover or paper bags over heads near maturity help protect seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRotate sunflower planting location annually\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18–24 inches between plants; rows 24–36 inches apart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSow Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 inch deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–14 days at 65–85°F soil temperature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun Requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun — minimum 6–8 hours daily; more sun = taller plants and larger heads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-draining, moderately fertile soil; pH 6.0–7.5; avoid overly rich nitrogen soil (produces tall plants but smaller heads)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; deep watering once or twice per week; drought tolerant once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Tips:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow only — sunflowers develop a deep taproot and do not transplant well; stake in windy locations; plant along north or east side of garden to avoid shading smaller plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow after last frost when soil reaches 50°F. Sunflowers are fast-growing warm-season annuals that need the full growing season. Not sure of your zone? \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\"\u003eCheck the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCucumbers\u003c\/strong\u003e — sunflowers provide trellis support and attract pollinators that boost cucumber yield\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSquash\u003c\/strong\u003e — benefits from the shade sunflowers cast on soil, reducing moisture loss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorn\u003c\/strong\u003e — classic tall-crop companion; similar spacing and sun needs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarigolds\u003c\/strong\u003e — deter aphids and whiteflies that can attack sunflower stems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNasturtiums\u003c\/strong\u003e — trap crop for aphids; attract beneficial insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid planting near: potatoes (sunflowers may inhibit potato growth) and fennel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoast seeds in the shell at 300°F for 30–40 minutes with olive oil and salt for a classic snack. Shell and toss into salads, grain bowls, or trail mix. Press for homemade sunflower oil. Leave a few heads on stalks through autumn as a living bird feeder — goldfinches and chickadees will flock to them. Dry heads also make beautiful rustic wreaths and autumn decorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Gardeners Love Giant Striped Sunflower\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDramatic garden presence\u003c\/strong\u003e — 8–12 foot stalks with 12–18 inch blooms are a showstopper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual-purpose harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e — beautiful cut flowers AND abundant edible seeds from the same plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to grow\u003c\/strong\u003e — direct sow, full sun, minimal fuss; great for beginners and kids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife magnet\u003c\/strong\u003e — attracts bees, butterflies, and birds throughout the season\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenerous seed yield\u003c\/strong\u003e — hundreds of large, meaty seeds per head\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seeds year after year from your best plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvest Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest when the back of the seed head turns yellow-brown and seeds are plump and firm; petals have fully dropped\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow to cut\/handle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut stem leaving 12–18 inches; hang upside down in a dry, well-ventilated location or cover heads with a paper bag to catch falling seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCuring \u0026amp; storage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry for 2–4 weeks; rub seeds free with your hands; store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark location for up to 1 year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSeed Saving\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAllow your largest, most vigorous seed head to fully dry on the stalk. Once completely brown and dry, cut and rub seeds free over a clean tray. Store in a labeled airtight container in a cool, dark, dry location. Giant Striped Sunflower seeds remain viable for 2–3 years under proper conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant a sunflower that makes a statement — and rewards you with a harvest worth remembering. Order your Giant Striped Sunflower seeds today and grow one of America’s most iconic heirloom flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 10 seeds","offer_id":53981231874362,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 25 seeds - 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":53981231907130,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/image_f3539627-00a8-4ed7-94d0-436df38f2292.png?v=1788194416","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/giant-striped-sunflower-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}