Tithonia rotundifolia

RHS Plant Profile

Mexican sunflower

Mike L. Grant 2000

Other common names

goldflower of the Incas, Mexican marigold

Synonyms

Tithonia speciosa

Annual Biennial

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A large, branching annual to 2m, with large, broadly ovate leaves and vivid orange, daisy-like flowers 8cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Tithonia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple or lobed leaves and long-stemmed, solitary, daisy-like flower-heads in late summer and autumn
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun with shelter from strong winds. Water freely in dry weather. Cool overcast weather results in poor growth

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slug and snail damage on young growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free