Red sunflower varieties

Red sunflowers are the varieties sellers describe as red, wine or mahogany. NC State Extension notes that hybridization has widened sunflower color from the common yellow to red, mahogany, bronze, white and bicolors. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
8
Height
2–8 ft (61–244 cm)
Hardiness
Grown as an annual in every zone
Form

7 Branching

1 Single stem

Compare all 8 side by side

All 8 red sunflower varieties

A Claret sunflower flower up close on the plant Claret Pollen-free F1 sunflower with dark reddish-brown blooms on bushy plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall6–6½ ft (180–200 cm)Branching
A Evening Sun sunflower flower up close on the plant Evening Sun Multi-branching sunflower with 4–6 inch blooms in red, orange and burgundy. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 6–8 ft (183–244 cm) (estimated) Branching
A Firecracker sunflower flower up close on the plant Firecracker F1 branching sunflower, 36–46 in. tall, with pollenless red and gold flowers. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3–4 ft (91–117 cm)Branching
A Little Becka sunflower flower up close on the plant Little Becka Branching, pollenless sunflower, 2–3 ft tall, with copper-red and yellow flowers. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2–3 ft (61–91 cm)Branching
A ProCut Red sunflower flower up close on the plant ProCut Red Pollenless single-stem F1 cut sunflower with deep red 3–6 inch flowers. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall5–6 ft (152–183 cm)Single stem
A Ruby Eclipse sunflower flower up close on the plant Ruby Eclipse Pollenless branching F1 sunflower with ruby-red, lemon-tipped 4–5 inch flowers. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall6 ft (183 cm)Branching
A Strawberry Blonde sunflower flower up close on the plant Strawberry Blonde Pollenless F1 branching sunflower, burgundy to pink petals with lemon tips. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall5–6 ft (152–183 cm)Branching
A Velvet Queen sunflower flower up close on the plant Velvet Queen Heirloom branching sunflower with red to mahogany blooms up to 8 inches. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall5–7 ft (152–213 cm)Branching

How to choose

  1. Look at the Color column. Many red varieties carry a second color, such as a yellow tip or ring, and we record both.

  2. Compare the Height column before placing them in a bed, since sunflowers range widely in height.

  3. Check Days to bloom if you plan to sow in succession for cutting.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Claret Branching 6–6½ ft (180–200 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Evening Sun Branching 6–8 ft (183–244 cm) (estimated) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Firecracker Branching 3–4 ft (91–117 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Little Becka Branching 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
ProCut Red Single stem 5–6 ft (152–183 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Ruby Eclipse Branching 6 ft (183 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Strawberry Blonde Branching 5–6 ft (152–183 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Velvet Queen Branching 5–7 ft (152–213 cm) – Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Where did red sunflowers come from?

NC State Extension attributes colors such as red and mahogany to hybridization, which expanded the range beyond the common yellow.

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