Mexican Sunflower Profile - April 26, 2020

A brief review of the Mexican Sunflower or Tithonia Torch (Tithonia rotundifolia). Having just discovered this plant a few years back, I can now say it is one of my favorite annual plants for my sun gardens here in south eastern Ontario, Canada. It can be planted directly in the garden as seed or started indoors a month or two ahead of plant-out time. It is a vigorous grower, pest resistant, drought tolerant and attains a height of 1-2 meters and a broad shape with numerous, bright orange flowers. It is loved by butterflies and hummingbirds.

Give it lots of sunny space, well drained and rich moist soil, regular watering and you will be amazed at the display of flowers come August and September. In the fall you can collect next seasons seed crop.
Great as tall backdrop plants or a center garden plants that you can surround with shorter plants.

Though non-native to Ontario, it does not seem to pose the threat of invasiveness.