Who isn’t enchanted when they see sunflowers? The typical yellow sunflower varieties are enough to enthrall us and make us feel like we’re seeing the sun down here on earth. But did you know there are white sunflower varieties too?
My sister recently gifted me with a few white sunflower seeds, and it was quite the excitement as I started planting the sunflowers. When I saw the first white sunflower blooms, I was over the moon (or should it be the sun in this case?).
I want you to share in my white sunflower excitement, so I’ve put together this comprehensive care and growing tips guide. When you are ready to plant white sunflowers in your garden beds or planters, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Plus, there isn’t just one type of white sunflower. There are at least 15 kinds! I share information about each variety, so you’ll know exactly which cultivar is best for you
What are white sunflowers?
White sunflowers are the white-leafed relatives of the quintessential yellow sunflowers that we all love and adore. True white sunflowers have only white petals (although the flowers are usually more cream or yellowish), but this type of sunflower is rare.
The scientific name of sunflower is Helianthus annuus, which belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae). Did you know that sunflowers are called “garisol” in Spanish, which literally means “journey around the sun”? How special, right? But white sunflowers make me think more about traveling around the moon.
White sunflowers symbolize purity, new hope and peace – it’s the perfect addition to your garden, don’t you think? Or as a gift to a loved one to start a new chapter in their life?
White sunflowers are selectively bred varieties or hybrids. These sunflowers don’t lack the vibrancy associated with traditional bright golden-yellow blooms. Sure, white is an understated color, but think of the wonderful contrast white sunflowers would add to your garden with yellow, purple, red, or pink sunflowers? Or your bouquet or flower arrangement?
5 Most Beautiful White Sunflower Varieties
If you can’t wait to find out the best white sunflower varieties, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Moonshadow Sunflower
Moonshadow sunflowers are easy to grow. This white sunflower variety has creamy white daisy-shaped petals and a dark chocolate disc in the center. Flowers are 3 to 5 inches long when fully open. The shade sunflower is a multi-branched sunflower, which means the plant forms many stems with flowers.
The white sunflower plant has no pollen, is precocious, and has a plant height of 90 to 120 cm. It is a dwarf sunflower variety. It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies – which is the obvious reason why I’m growing some moonshadow sunflowers in my garden (#butterflycrazy).
Grow Moonshadow White Sunflowers in your garden, snip some stems to make attractive indoor bouquets, or dye the blooms to add a brilliant pop of color to your bouquets.
2. ProCut White Nite Sunflower
ProCut White Nite Sunflower was developed by Dr. Tom Heaton, an American plant breeder. The white sunflower variety is a single-stemmed plant that reaches a height of 4 to 6 feet and produces 4 to 6 inch flowers per stem. The creamy white petals are lush and densely packed around a dark brown central disc.
Sunflowers are pollen-free, which is great news for those with pollen and related allergies!
ProCut White Nite Sunflowers will look stunning in your garden and flower arrangements. Pair it with other flowers in pastel or bright colors.
3. ProCut White Lite Sunflower
ProCut White Lite Sunflower is similar to ProCut White Nite Sunflower – the main difference is that the center disc is a light golden green. The flowers are 7 to 8 inches in diameter and the petals are also densely packed around the center. Single-stemmed plants grow 4 to 6 feet tall.
Use pollen-free ProCut White Lite sunflowers in wedding bouquets or colorful flower arrangements at home.
4. Italian White Sunflower
Bees and butterflies love Italian white sunflowers too! (Yes! Grow another white sunflower.) Italian white sunflowers look more like daisies than moonshade sunflowers because each petal is narrow. The flower also has a smaller central disc.
You may notice these sunflowers have a tinge of yellow or orange around their dark chocolate brown discs – similar to a halo – but the petals are mostly white. This white sunflower variety grows 5 to 7 feet tall and each flower can be up to 4 inches in diameter when mature.
The plant produces many blooms during the growing season, so you can enjoy Italian white sunflowers for longer. I like to cut Italian white sunflowers and arrange them with some purple and pink sunflowers. I have to admit, the floral arrangement looks really pretty and adds a much-needed pop of color to my summer den.
5. Jade Sunflower
The Jade sunflower measure 7 to 8 inches across and have cream-colored flowers with yellowish-white petals and light lime-green eyes. Multi-stem sunflowers can grow 3 to 4 feet tall, making them a dwarf sunflower variety. Pollen-free Emerald sunflowers are perfect for garden beds, pots, or flower arrangements.
