ProCut Sunflower
Helianthus annuus 'ProCut'
flowerProCut is the standard-bearer series of pollenless single-stem cut-flower sunflowers, bred for the cut-flower trade. F1 plants produce one flower per seed on a strong straight 5 to 6 ft stem in just 55 to 60 days. The pollenless blooms - 4 to 6 in. across - do not shed yellow dust on tablecloths and last 7 to 10 days in the vase. Colors run lemon yellow, classic gold, orange, peach, rose-pink, plum, white, and bicolors like Horizon and Red.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Bloom
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
🌱
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
6-9 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Seed 1/2 in. deep
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feed at planting; none midseason
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow ProCut once soil reaches 60F at 2 in. depth, or start indoors in deep cells 2 to 3 weeks before transplant (sunflowers resent root disturbance, so use deep cells). Single-stem sunflowers cannot be pinched - they make exactly one flower - so the only way to extend the bloom window is succession sowing every 7 to 10 days. Sow seed 1/2 in. deep, spaced 6 to 9 in. apart in rows 18 in. apart - tight spacing actually produces straighter, more usable cut-flower stems. Water deeply at the base; deeper roots mean stronger stems.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 22
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Projected first bloom
Jun 21
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Zinnia — Cutting-garden partner that fills the lower tier and shares heat and full sun
- Cosmos — Airy filler in mixed sunflower bouquets and draws bees and hoverflies
- Salvia — Nectar source for bees that visit single sunflowers and adds blue tones to bouquets
- Basil — Basils strong scent helps mask the sunflower scent from some pests
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Hose off colonies, particularly on the underside of leaves, and support ladybugs and lacewings
Even pollenless sunflowers attract birds at the seed stage; cover heads with mesh bags if you want fresh-cut flowers for the vase
Protect direct-sown seedlings with grit or traps until they reach 6 in. tall
Give plants 6 to 9 in. spacing for airflow and remove the lowest leaves as the canopy fills in
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Cut ProCut when the back of the flower head has turned bright yellow and one or two rows of petals have opened around the center disk; this is peak vase life. Cut deeply, strip the lower leaves, and place stems immediately in cool water. Sear the cut stem briefly in hot water for the longest vase life. Plants do not regrow after the cut, so succession-sow every 7 to 10 days for a continuous supply through summer.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Because ProCut is pollenless, it does not feed bees for pollen the way an open-pollinated sunflower like Mammoth or Lemon Queen does - the male sterility that makes it clean for the vase also removes its pollen value. The blooms still produce nectar that draws bees and butterflies, and the plants themselves are excellent late-summer fuel for migrating monarch butterflies. Save bees the favor by planting a few pollen-bearing sunflowers alongside the ProCuts.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.