Sunflowers are strong and healthy flowers that can withstand nearly every kind of soil. They will rise even in poor soil health.
But the sunflowers plants require so much more than the natural water and the sunlight to produce beautiful and bigger blooms. They require proper nutrient supply. However, they will not grow as large as you expect them.
Now the question; what’s the best fertilizer for sunflowers?
The well-balanced flower fertilizer that contains more phosphorus and other required nutrients for sunflowers. Also, the best fertilizer will be derived from some non-toxic ingredients
Throughout the article, I will review the 8 best fertilizer for sunflowers and some great tips that might amaze you. So let’s get started-
In a Hurry? Here is the quick recommendation for your sunflower-
Best Fertilizer for Sunflowers-Comparisons
| Fertilizer | NPK | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Earth 707P Bud & Bloom Fertilizer | 3-9-4 | Organic | |
| Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Flower Food | 15-30-15 | Inorganic | |
| J R Peters Blossom Booster Fertilizer | 10-30-20 | Inorganic | |
| Espoma FT4 Flower-tone Plant Food | 3-4-5 | Organic | |
| Down to Earth Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix | 4-8-4 | Organic | |
| Jobe’s 09423 Flower & Rose Granular Fertilizer | 3-4-3 | Organic | |
| EcoScraps Rose & Flower Plant Food | 4-6-3 | Organic | |
| Osmocote Smart-Release Flower Food | 15-9-12 | Inorganic |
Best Fertilizer for Sunflowers-Reviews
1.Dr. Earth 707P Organic Bud & Bloom Fertilizer
It has an NPK ratio of 3-9-4 that means 3% nitrogen (water-soluble), 9% phosphate, and 4% water-soluble potash. The water-soluble portion instantly feeds your plants that help to achieve a quick boost.
All the ingredients are derived from organic and natural sources such as Kelp flower, Kelp meal, alfalfa meal, potassium sulfate, and fishbone meal. These natural and organic ingredients also provide other essential macro and micronutrients to your plant.
The best part is the wide spectrum of biological soil inoculants. It contains many beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi intended to bring life to all soil varieties in backyard gardens or containers.
To use on new plantings (before you plant), add 1 cup per 0.5 cubic feet (5 gallons) of soil that will be added to the planting hole. After completing the planting process add an extra 1 cup of fertilizer around the plant and mix it into the soil.
To use on an Established plant, sprinkle 1 tablespoon for a 6″ container or sprinkle 2 cups for every inch of trunk diameter of inground flowers.
2.Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food
The NPK ratio of this fertilizer is 15-30-15. That indicates 15% of nitrogen (5.8% ammonical nitrogen and 9.2% urea nitrogen), 30% available phosphate, 15% water-soluble potash.
As you know, the nutrients are coated as water-soluble. And you will be happy to know the water-soluble portion feeds your plants instantly with a quick growth boost.
Are you looking for other micro and macronutrients? Well, this fertilizer covers them also. It contains 0.02% Boron, 0.07% water-soluble copper, 0.15% chelated iron, 0.05% chelated manganese, 0.0005% molybdenum and 0.06% water-soluble zinc.
All of the nutrients are derived from nontoxic and harmless inorganic sources. They are Urea, ammoniacal phosphate, urea phosphate, potassium chloride, boric acid, copper sulfate, iron EDTA, manganese EDTA, Sodium Molybdate, and zinc sulfate.
With all these essential nutrients and instant feeding processes, it can boost your sunflower blooms greatly resulting in a vibrant and beautiful flower.
Mix 1/2 tablespoons per 1.5 gallons of water and spray it. For the best outcome, spray every 7-14 days.
3.J R Peters Jacks Classic Blossom Booster Fertilizer
It has an NPK ratio of 10-30-20 which means 12% nitrogen ( 5% ammonical nitrogen and 5% nitrate nitrogen), 30% available phosphate, 20% water-soluble potash. This kind of nutrients ratio has made it one of the best fertilizers for indoor sunflowers as well as outdoors.
It also carries a huge amount of other nutrients including 0.50% water-soluble magnesium, 0.02% Boron, 0.05% chelated copper, 0.10% chelated iron, 0.05% chelated manganese, 0.0009% molybdenum and 0.05% zinc.
All of these ingredients are derived from non-toxic and harmless inorganic sources including mono ammonium phosphate, potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, boric acid, iron EDTA, Manganese EDTA, Zinc EDTA. Copper EDTA, Ammonium molybdate.
To use on outdoor plants, mix 2 tablespoons per two gallons of water, and to use on indoor plants mix 1 tablespoon per two gallons of water. To get the best result, apply every 7-14 days.
4.Espoma FT4 Flower-Tone Blossom Booster Plant Food
It has an NPK ratio of 3-4-5 that says 3% of nitrogen (0.2% ammoniacal nitrogen, 0.6% Water-soluble nitrogens, 2.2% water-insoluble nitrogen), 4% available phosphate, 4% water-soluble potash, 5% water-soluble potash.
It also contains other nutrients such as 5% calcium, 0.5% water-soluble magnesium, and 1.0% sulfur. As all the ingredients are derived from organic sources such as feather meal, Bone meal, Poultry manure, Alfalfa meal it also contains other essential plant nutrients in an adequate amount.
One of the great features of this fertilizer is, it contains exclusive Bio-tone Microbes that help you make your soil more fertile and suitable for your sunflowers.
For New plantings: Mix into the soil previous to planting to a depth of at least 4″ and for Established plants, Feed once each month during the growing season.
5.Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix
The guaranteed analysis shows that it contains an NPK ratio of 4-8-4. This means 4% nitrogen (0.4% water-soluble nitrogen, 3.6% water-insoluble nitrogen), 8% available phosphate and 4% water-soluble potash. It also contains 2% water-soluble magnesium.
All the nutrients are derived from organic sources including Fishbone meal, blood meal, alfalfa meal, rock phosphate, kelp meal, and others. That is why it is an OMRI-listed fertilizer. Besides that, for being derived from organic sources it also carries several other micro and macronutrients.
When planting, add 2-4 tablespoons of this fertilizer per hole and mix properly with soil. Read the label for more dosages.
6.Jobe’s 09423 Organics Flower & Rose Granular Fertilizer
It features a 3-4-3 NPK ratio that means 3% nitrogen (1.1% water-soluble nitrogen and 1.9% water-insoluble nitrogen), 4% available phosphate and 3% water-soluble potash. It also carries 9.0% calcium, 0.5% magnesium (0.15% water-soluble) and 0.1% sulfur.
As you know the water-soluble portion releases its nutrients quickly and feeds your plant instantly to provide a great growth boost. And for continuous feeding, it also has a water-insoluble portion of the nutrients.
All the nutrients are derived from several organic and natural sources such as Bone meal, feather meal, processed poultry manure, and sulfate of potash.
The best part is,
It carries the brand’s exclusive Biozome which uses archaea to break down beneficial material for quick effects. Biozome works to enhance the health of the soil and helps your sunflowers resist disease, insects, and even drought.
For established plants, use 1.5 cups per foot of plant spread. Apply every 3-6 week interval or as necessary.
7.EcoScraps for Organic Gardening Rose & Flower Plant Food
The NPK formulation is 4-6-3 that means 4% nitrogen, 6% phosphate, and 3% potash. As its nutrients are derived from several organic sources, it also carries a great amount of other essential plant nutrients.
You can spray a light amount of this fertilizer on any flowering plants. You can anticipate gain with healthy plants with beautiful flowers being produced. Read the label of your fertilizer before apply.
8.Osmocote 277960 Smart-Release Plant Food Flower & Vegetable
This comes with an NPK ratio of 15-9-12. It says 15% nitrogen, 9% phosphate, and 12% potash. It also includes other nutrients including magnesium, boron, copper, sulfur, zinc, iron, molybdenum, and manganese. All these ingredients have made it one of the best fertilizers for sunflowers.
It is an inorganic granular fertilizer that is a specialty derived from some non-toxic chemicals. So, you can feed this to your flower without the risk of damages.
For established plants, spray 3-4 tablespoons for every 2*2 ft area. One application can serve up to four months, too, so this eight-pound bag will last a while.
What Nutrients Do Sunflowers Need?
Sunflowers are flowering plants. They need more phosphorus to promote flowering. Also, they need nitrogen and potash to complete the life cycle properly.
Besides, the plants need a small amount of other essential plant nutrients including calcium, boron, iron, magnesium, etc.
What Type of Fertilizer for Sunflowers?
Sunflowers are heavy feeder plants. For this, the soil should be nutrient-rich with organic elements such as composted (aged) manure. Or you can buy organic fertilizer from a store that contains a high amount of nitrogen and potash with other essential plant nutrients in an adequate amount.
Before buying see the NPK ratio, the middle number will be higher than the other. The NPK ratio should be 15-30-15 or 4-8-4.
When to Fertilize Sunflowers?
First of all, You should pick fertilizers that are best suited for your sunflower garden. You can fertilize sunflowers throughout the entire growing season. But if you find any disease or unwanted growing manner you should stop fertilizing them.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for applying that particular fertilizer.
How to Fertilize Sunflowers in the Best Way?
Feed the sunflower when the blooming season arrives and when you feel it is necessary. But things to remember, overfertilization can affect stems to break in the fall. You can mix fertilizer with water and thus avoid getting the fertilizer close to the plant base. It will support creating a moat in a circle encompassing the plant about 20 inches out. Liquid fertilizer could be a great option in this sense.
How to Care for Sunflower Plants?
While the plant is small, water throughout the root zone, approximately 3 to 4 inches from the plant.
As soon as the plant is established, water intensely though occasionally to promote deep rooting. Except the climate is particularly dry or wet, water once a week interval with several gallons of water.
Tall varieties and cultivars need support. Bamboo stakes are a suitable selection for any plant that has a sharp, single stem and requires support for a short time.
Frequently asked Questions
Do sunflower plants like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are a great source of nutrients. It supplies a lot of potassium, nitrogen, and potassium that can boost your overall plant growth. So, You can understand why the sunflower plant likes coffee grounds.
Is tomato feed good for sunflowers?
Like all other nutrients, tomato plants also need those fixed essential and non-essential plant nutrients. So tomato fertilizer will contain a lot of nutrients that can help you grow with your sunflowers. Although each plant has a unique requirement of nutrients, tomato feed could be a good source for sunflowers(Here is the most recommended tomato plant food).
But my recommendation is; use the flowering plant food or bloom booster fertilizer for sunflowers.
Can you use Miracle-Grow on sunflowers?
Miracle-Grow is one of the best renowned and popular fertilizer manufacturer companies among gardeners and farmers. Its fertilizers are also very efficient and work well for all kinds of plants. So you can undoubtedly use Miracle-Grow on sunflowers.
Do sunflowers need fertilizer?
If your garden soil contains all the nutrients in an adequate amount, then extra fertilizer won’t be needed normally. To know your soil profile you can get it tested. If you observe any lack of nutrients, you should fertilize them.
How much fertilizer per acre for sunflowers?
This is hard to say how much nitrogen is needed per acre for sunflowers. It depends on soil fertility, soil pH, and many other things. However, on average, sunflowers require 75-130 lb nitrogen, 20-40 lb phosphate, and 30-50 lb potash per acre.
What to spray on sunflowers for bugs?’
Neem oil and insecticidal soap are quite enough to get rid of bugs from sunflowers. But those are very effective only for soft-bodied insects. If you notice any shield structured insects or hard bodies pest, you should go for the organic or inorganic insecticide.
Here is my writing about the insecticide for citrus trees. You can pick any of them from your sunflowers too.
Last Words
Choosing a suitable fertilizer is always hard work and requires a lot of time.
I have done all the hard work and research you might need to do and selected the 8 best fertilizers for sunflowers from thousands of fertilizers available on the market.
So pick one that is suitable and fulfills your plant’s needs.
Happy Gardening!
