Helianthus giganteus aka Giant Sunflower
Taxonomy
Helianthus giganteus, also known as Giant Sunflower or Tall Sunflower, is an impressive species of Helianthus native to the eastern United States and eastern and central Canada, from Newfoundland west to Alberta south to Minnesota, Mississippi, and South Carolina. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that is capable of growing up to 4 m tall and the leaves are slender, lanceolate. The flower heads are bright yellow, up to 7 cm (2.8 inches) in diameter. They are most commonly found in valleys with wet meadows or swamps and prefer full sun and moist conditions. The genus Helianthus is made up of two Greek words, helios for 'sun' and anthos for 'flower', and the species giganteus means tall or large. Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), Swedish botanist, was the developer of the binomial nomenclature of modern taxonomy and the author name for the plant classification, 'L.' is attributed to him. The plant can be an invasive species if left unchecked, and is also a very rare houseplant that needs regular watering and long-lasting, direct light to thrive. It should be less than 1 foot from a window and soil should be well draining without added fertilizers if the plant is repotted each time it doubles in size.
Common names
Giant Sunflower, Indian Potato, Tall SunflowerHow to care for Giant Sunflower
Difficulty
Caring for Giant Sunflower is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
Giant Sunflower should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Giant Sunflower loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Giant Sunflower requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Indian Potato is always in the right place to thrive.
Toxicity
Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.
Humidity
The Giant Sunflower does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Giant Sunflower should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Giant Sunflower as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Giant Sunflower’s native range is the Americas.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Helianthus Genus
Helianthus doronicoides
Helianthus californicus California Sunflower
Helianthus lenticularis
Helianthus giganteus Giant Sunflower
Helianthus annuus Sunflower
Helianthus niveus Snowy Sunflower
Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem Artichoke
Helianthus microcephalus Woodland Sunflower
Helianthus petiolaris Prairie Sunflower
