How to Harvest the Stiff Sunflower

Stiff sunflowers, also known as Helianthus pauciflorus, are native to North America and grow from Maine to Arizona. If you’re growing the stiff sunflower in your home garden, you can harvest it like you would any other variety of sunflower. The seeds inside the sunflower can be picked and roasted for your family or the birds in your yard, depending on your preferences. The stiff sunflower’s head needs to be totally dry before the seeds are ready for harvest.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Paper bag
• Paper towel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Wait until the stiff sunflower’s head is brown all the way around to the back. When it’s all brown and dry it is time to harvest.

   • 2

     Cut the stem about 1 foot down from the head of the stiff sunflower.

   • 3

     Brush the seeds off the sunflower head with your hands into a large paper bag.

   • 4

     Set out a paper towel in a dry, protected location. Lay the seeds onto the paper towel in one layer. Allow the seeds to dry for three to five days.

   • 5

     Store the seeds in an airtight container once they are dry.