Pollinator plant

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

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Common names

79 names · 55 languages
EnglishYour language
+6 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (54)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • تباع الشمس[3]
  • دوار الشمس[3]
  • دوار الشمس الحولي[3]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • زهرة الشمس[3]
  • عبّاد الشمس[3]
  • ميال الشمس[3]
Bunun
Burmese
  • နေကြာ[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Chuvash
  • Хĕвелçаврăнăш[3]
Croatian
Czech
  • slunečnice roční[3]
Danish
  • Almindelig solsikke[3]
Esperanto
Estonian
  • harilik päevalill[3]
  • päevalill[3]
Finnish
  • isoauringonkukka[3]
Georgian
  • ზეთის მზესუმზირა[3]
German
Hebrew
  • חמנית מצויה[3]
Hindi
  • सूरजमुखी[3]
Hungarian
  • közönséges napraforgó[3]
  • Napraforgó[3]
Ido
Indonesian
  • Bunga Matahari[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • ヒマワリ[3]
Javanese
  • Kembang srengéngé[3]
Korean
  • 해바라기[3]
Ladino
Latvian
  • Saulespuķe[3]
  • Vasaras saulgrieze[3]
Lithuanian
  • Tikroji saulėgrąža[3]
Malay
  • Pokok Bunga Matahari[3]
Mono
Nahuatl
  • Acahualli[3]
  • Acahualxochitl[3]
  • Chimalacahuali[3]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • Chimalacahualxochitl[3]
  • Chimalxochitl[3]
  • chimálatl[3]
Navajo
  • Nidíyílii[3]
Norwegian
Occitan
  • Virasolelh[3]
Ojibwe
  • Ziinda`aagan[3]
Otomi
Polish
  • Słonecznik zwyczajny[3]
Portuguese
Purepecha
  • xaricámata[3]
Romanian
  • Floarea-soarelui[3]
Rumanian
  • Floarea-soarelui[3]
Russian
  • Подсолнечник однолетний[3]
Scottish Gaelic
  • Neòinean-grèine[3]
Serbian
  • Сунцокрет[3]
Slovak
  • slnečnica ročná[3]
Slovenian
  • navadna sončnica[3]
Spanish
Sundanese
  • Kembang Matahari[3]
Swedish
Tewa
Thai
  • ทานตะวัน[3]
Turkish
  • ayçiçeği[3]
Ukrainian
  • Соняшник звичайний[3]
  • Соняшник однорічний[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Helianthus annuus — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Common Sunflower — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Helianthus annuus.
  • Comb Flower — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Helianthus annuus.
  • Golden Flower of Peru — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Helianthus annuus.
  • Kansas Sunflower — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Helianthus annuus.
  • Sunflower — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Helianthus annuus.
  • Wild Sunflower — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Helianthus annuus.
[2] Helianthus annuus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Common Sunflower — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Sonnenblume — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Annual Sunflower — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Mirasol — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Ornamental Sunflower — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Sunflower — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Acahual — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Girasol — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • mirasol — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Tournesol — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Girasole — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Zonnebloem — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Girassol — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
[3] Helianthus annuus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Common Sunflower — results[7].names[1]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Sonnenblume — results[7].names[19]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Annual Sunflower — results[7].names[3]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Mirasol — results[7].names[61]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Ornamental Sunflower — results[7].names[62]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Sunflower — results[7].names[5]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Acahual — results[7].names[18]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Girasol — results[7].names[6]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • mirasol — results[7].names[11]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Tournesol — results[7].names[4]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Girasole — results[7].names[12]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Zonnebloem — results[7].names[41]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Girassol — results[7].names[16]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Acahualli — results[7].names[2]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • chimálatl — results[7].names[7]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • xaricámata — results[7].names[8]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • yendri — results[7].names[9]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Chimalxochitl — results[7].names[13]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Acahualxochitl — results[7].names[14]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Chimalacahuali — results[7].names[15]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Chimalacahualxochitl — results[7].names[17]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • 向日葵 — results[7].names[20]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • slunečnice roční — results[7].names[21]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • harilik päevalill — results[7].names[22]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Almindelig solsikke — results[7].names[23]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Napraforgó — results[7].names[24]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Neòinean-grèine — results[7].names[25]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • सूरजमुखी — results[7].names[26]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Bunga Matahari — results[7].names[27]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Хĕвелçаврăнăш — results[7].names[28]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Helianto — results[7].names[29]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Kembang srengéngé — results[7].names[30]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • ზეთის მზესუმზირა — results[7].names[31]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Pokok Bunga Matahari — results[7].names[32]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • နေကြာ — results[7].names[33]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Turnesol — results[7].names[34]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Tikroji saulėgrąža — results[7].names[35]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Virasolelh — results[7].names[36]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Kembang Matahari — results[7].names[37]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Floarea-soarelui — results[7].names[38]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Подсолнечник однолетний — results[7].names[39]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Solros — results[7].names[40]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • solsikke — results[7].names[42]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • 해바라기 — results[7].names[43]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • ヒマワリ — results[7].names[44]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • isoauringonkukka — results[7].names[45]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Słonecznik zwyczajny — results[7].names[46]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • دوار الشمس — results[7].names[47]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • زهرة الشمس — results[7].names[48]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • تباع الشمس — results[7].names[49]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • ميال الشمس — results[7].names[50]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • عبّاد الشمس — results[7].names[51]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Ziinda`aagan — results[7].names[52]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • päevalill — results[7].names[53]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • sunfloro — results[7].names[54]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • valihana — results[7].names[55]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • ayçiçeği — results[7].names[56]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • 向日葵 — results[7].names[57]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • חמנית מצויה — results[7].names[58]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • sonneblom — results[7].names[60]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • ทานตะวัน — results[7].names[63]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Beni anyi — results[7].names[64]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Nidíyílii — results[7].names[65]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Vasaras saulgrieze — results[7].names[66]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Saulespuķe — results[7].names[67]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Соняшник звичайний — results[7].names[68]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • navadna sončnica — results[7].names[69]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Suncokret — results[7].names[70]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Floarea-soarelui — results[7].names[71]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • közönséges napraforgó — results[7].names[72]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Соняшник однорічний — results[7].names[73]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • دوار الشمس الحولي — results[7].names[74]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • slnečnica ročná — results[7].names[75]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • Сунцокрет — results[7].names[76]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
  • paakü' — results[7].names[77]; taxon id 57983; Helianthus annuus.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Helianthus annuus ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Sunflower (EN); Sonnenblume (DE); Girasol (ES) — VernacularName.tsv, line 140095; taxon 3K5TS.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Helianthus annuus is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Asteraceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.46–3.05 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.46–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: butterflies, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Helianthus species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
SW. U.S.A. to Mexico.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from July to October.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Helianthus annuus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 335207; ID 3K5TS; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 335207; ID 3K5TS; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Helianthus annuus — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 1, entry Helianthus species (top 157 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Helianthus annuus — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 837132; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1484034, 1484035, 1484036, 1484054, 1484055, 1484057, 1484058

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.