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Teddy Bear Dwarf Sunflower Seeds
Type: Annual Flower Seeds — Heirloom Open-Pollinated Botanical Name:Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’ Days to Bloom: 75–80 days from direct sow Height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) Flower Type: Fully double, pom-pom style, golden yellow Sun: Full sun (6+ hours) Hardiness: Annual — direct sow after last frost, Zones 3–10 Best For: Containers, small gardens, cut flowers, front-of-border
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Teddy Bear Dwarf Sunflower Seeds — Compact, Pollenless, and Prolific
Teddy Bear sunflower (Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’) breaks every rule about sunflowers being tall, single-stalked, and hard to fit into a small garden. It grows 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) tall, branches freely to produce multiple blooms per plant, and produces fully double, densely petalled golden flowers that look more like fluffy pompons than traditional sunflowers — which is exactly where the name comes from. The absence of a prominent central disk gives Teddy Bear a distinctive look that works in cottage gardens, patio containers, and cut flower arrangements where the classic sunflower aesthetic feels too bold.
Despite its compact habit, Teddy Bear is an open-pollinated, heirloom variety that performs reliably across North America. It’s one of the best sunflower choices for containers, small urban gardens, and front-of-border plantings where a standard sunflower’s height would be a problem. Because it branches rather than producing a single head, a well-grown Teddy Bear plant can carry 10–20 blooms simultaneously at different stages, extending your cutting season from a single plant across 4–6 weeks. Teddy Bear produces no pollen — its fully double blooms are completely pollenless — making it the best sunflower for indoor arrangements where pollen on surfaces or furniture would be a nuisance.
🌍 Where Teddy Bear Sunflowers Grow Best
🥶 Short-Season Climates
Canada Zones 3–5, Northern US, Prairie provinces. At 50–60 days to bloom, Teddy Bear is much better suited to short seasons than Giant Mammoth. Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 2 weeks early for the earliest possible blooms.
💧 Humid Climates
Southeast US, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Ontario. The dense double flowers can trap moisture and develop botrytis in prolonged wet weather. Good airflow and avoiding overhead watering keeps plants healthy. Space 45 cm (18 in) apart minimum.
☀️ Hot & Arid Climates
Southwest US, Texas, BC Interior. Teddy Bear handles heat well. In containers in full sun, water daily in peak summer — small containers dry out fast. Mulch in-ground plantings to retain moisture and reduce watering frequency.
🌱 Growing Teddy Bear Sunflowers
Direct sow Teddy Bear seeds 1–2 cm (½–¾ in) deep after the last frost once soil has reached 10°C (50°F). Germination takes 7–14 days. Space plants 30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart in the garden; in containers, one plant per 30 cm (12 in) pot works well. Unlike tall sunflower varieties, Teddy Bear genuinely thrives in containers — a large pot with good drainage and daily watering in summer can produce a spectacular, long-blooming plant from early summer through early fall.
Pinching the central stem tip when plants reach 30 cm (12 in) encourages even more branching and a bushier habit with more blooms. This is optional but worthwhile if maximum flower count is the goal. Deadhead spent blooms to keep new buds coming — unlike single-head varieties, Teddy Bear will continue producing if old flowers are removed before they go to seed. If you want seeds for next year or for birds, leave the last flush of late-season blooms on the plant.
For zone-by-zone planting calendars, full variety comparisons, and companion planting guidance across all five of our sunflower types, see the complete sunflower growing guide.
❓ Teddy Bear Sunflower FAQ
How big do Teddy Bear sunflowers get?
Teddy Bear sunflowers typically reach 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) tall with a similar spread due to their branching habit. Individual flowers are 10–15 cm (4–6 in) across — compact but visually full due to the double, densely layered petals. In rich soil with consistent watering, plants can reach 90 cm (3 ft) and carry dozens of simultaneous blooms.
Can Teddy Bear sunflowers grow in containers?
Yes — they’re one of the best sunflower varieties for container growing. Use a pot at least 30 cm (12 in) in diameter with drainage holes. A quality potting mix with added perlite for drainage works well. Water daily in summer; containers dry out faster than in-ground plantings. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks for best bloom production.
Do Teddy Bear sunflowers have pollen?
No — Teddy Bear is fully pollenless. The dense double blooms produce no pollen at all, which makes them the ideal cut sunflower for indoor use (no yellow dust on surfaces, tablecloths, or clothing). The trade-off is that they contribute no pollinator value — bees and butterflies won’t find accessible pollen or nectar. For pollinator support, pair them with pollen-producing varieties like Sunspot or Mixed Sunflowers nearby.
When should I plant Teddy Bear sunflowers in Canada?
Direct sow after the last frost: mid-May in Southern Ontario, Alberta, and coastal BC; late May to early June in the Prairie provinces. At 50–60 days to bloom, Teddy Bear fits comfortably into most Canadian growing seasons without needing an early indoor start, though starting indoors 2 weeks early gives you blooms sooner.
When should I plant in the US?
After the last frost in your region: March–April in the South and Southwest; April–May in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic; May–June in the Northern Plains. In warm climates, succession sow every 3 weeks through July for continuous blooms into fall.
Can I save seeds from Teddy Bear sunflowers?
Yes — Teddy Bear is open-pollinated and seeds saved from healthy plants will produce plants with the same double-flower habit. Leave the last blooms on the plant until the petals fall and the back of the head turns brown. Harvest seeds when dry and firm, store in a cool dry location. Viability is 4–5 years. Note: because Teddy Bear produces no pollen, it can only be cross-pollinated by other nearby sunflower varieties — saved seeds may show some variation if other sunflowers are growing nearby.
🌻 Big Blooms, Small Space — All Summer Long
Teddy Bear dwarf sunflower seeds — open-pollinated, non-GMO. Ships to Canada and the US.
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