Hairy Sunflower
Helianthus hirsutus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Helianthus hirsutus, the hairy sunflower, is a full sun forb that blooms from June through November and tolerates low water, well drained soils across much of the eastern and central United States.
Toxicity unknown
Hairy Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–60" H × 24"–36" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, moths, nectar insects
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Hairy Sunflower is a tall native perennial that produces cheerful yellow daisy-like blooms from summer through fall. This drought-tolerant wildflower can reach 5 feet tall and spreads to form colonies, making it excellent for naturalized areas and prairie gardens.
Growing Hairy Sunflower
Grow Hairy Sunflower in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 60 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hairy Sunflower is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- May flop without support
- Best in less formal zones
Wildlife value
The long blooming season provides nectar for butterflies, bees, moths, and other beneficial insects from June through November. Seeds attract goldfinches and other songbirds in late fall and winter.
Common questions
- When does hairy sunflower bloom?
- Hairy sunflower blooms over a long season, from June through November, with flowering often peaking in late summer and early fall.
- What pollinators visit hairy sunflower?
- Bees, butterflies, and moths visit hairy sunflower for nectar, and it is generally considered a useful nectar source for a range of flying insects.
- How much water does hairy sunflower need?
- This plant is drought tolerant once established and prefers low supplemental water, doing best in well drained soil that is not kept consistently moist.
- Is hairy sunflower a woody plant?
- No, it is a herbaceous forb. The above ground growth dies back each year and the plant regrows from its root system the following season.
- Is Hairy Sunflower HOA-friendly?
- Hairy Sunflower is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Hairy Sunflower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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