Sunflower Varieties That Produce Black Seeds

Kong

• These sunflowers are annuals that offer bright yellow blooms between mid-summer and early fall. The Kong sunflower grows between 8- and 15-feet tall. For optimal growth, this sunflower variety should be fully exposed to the sun. The black seeds produced by this sunflower variety will automatically result in volunteer plants during the next season if they are not harvested before they begin to self-sow. Butterflies and bees are very attracted to Kong sunflowers and will bring them to your planting area.

Peredovik

• This sunflower variety reaches full maturity only 12 weeks after germination. These sunflowers reach 4 feet in height. The black seeds the Peredovik sunflower yields produce more oil than can be extracted from any other sunflower variety, as each seed contains up to 50 percent oil content. The oil extracted from the Peredovik's black seeds are converted to biodiesel used as clean fuel alternatives.

Mammoth

• This sunflower name is no mistake, as the Mammoth grows to sizes far beyond its peers. Ten to 12 feet is the minimal standard growth height for these sunflowers and their seed head reaches a full 12 inches in diameter. They should be planted at least 18 inches apart from each other in order to allow for maximum growth. Plant your Mammoth sunflowers in full sun in order to maximize their full growth potential. The black seeds produced by these sunflowers can be eaten - by birds and humans - directly from the plant itself.