Once you plant your sunflower seeds, the germination
phase of the flower’s life cycle will begin. This phase
takes up to eight days. During germination, roots will
develop from the seed and a shoot will push through the
surface of the soil. The shoot is looking for sunlight
because all plants need sunlight to grow. Germination
usually occurs from mid-April to late-May, depending on
when you plant your seeds.

After germination, the vegetative phase of the sunflower’s
life cycle occurs. Your plant will still be a seedling for
close to 13 days after it breaks through the soil. This
initial part of the vegetative phase is called vegetative
emergence.

Once the plant forms its first leaf that’s at least four
centimeters long, the plant is officially in vegetative
stage one. When the plant grows two leaves that are
at least four centimeters long, it progresses to vegetative
stage two, and so forth. If you plant your sunflower in April
or May, the vegetative phase will occur in May or early June.

The reproductive phase occurs when a bud forms between the
plant’s cluster of leaves. The bud may initially have a star
-like appearance, but once the reproductive phase is complete,
you’ll see your bud transform into the tall stemmed, yellow
bloomed plant you know so well.


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