We use clear glass because it lets you watch the roots of the plant develop and see how moist your soil is for assessing your plant’s watering needs. The glass jar is also fully reusable and recyclable; after your final harvest you can compost the soil, wash the jar and use it for something else!

Yes it can! We selected a special dwarf-type sunflower variety and blended custom soil to make sure you can grow a full flowering plant! Make sure to put your planter in a space with ample sunlight – one of the most important aspects of getting your plant to thrive!

Our soil is a custom formulated blend of nutrient-rich ingredients that balance holding enough moisture and allowing for good airflow.

Yes! Our soil blend is made of 100% organic materials certified for use in organic gardening by ​OMRI​, sourced from and blended in the United States.

Yes! 100% organic, certified by Oregon Tilth.

Yes, all of our seeds are non-GMO.

We’ve selected a special dwarf variety of sunflower called Mardi Gras Blend. These seeds produce spectacular single-petal sunflowers with burnt orange and red hues accenting the traditional yellow petals. They’re designed to grow in containers, so they won’t get too tall and topple over.

First step is to dampen your soil with 1/2 cup of water before you begin planting seeds.

We recommend planting 5-6 seeds near the center of your jar. If you planted the whole packet already, no problem. You may just have a few more seedlings to trim in the next couple of weeks.

Your seeds need a warm, moist environment to germinate, and the light 1⁄4" blanket of soil is perfect for that. If left uncovered, the seeds may not be moist enough to sprout, but push them too far into the soil and they may never have the chance to peek their heads up. We’ve found that 1⁄4" is the goldilocks of depths – not too shallow, not too deep, but just right!

Temperature & moisture are important factors for successful germination:

• Sunflower seeds germinate best in warm soil. Keep your planter in a warm spot like a sunny window or near a heating vent.
• Keep the top 2” of soil consistently moist throughout germination. Carefully add water as needed.

Your sunflower will thrive in a spot in your home that gets 8+ hours of direct sunlight each day. Most of the time, this will be in a south-facing window - but why is that the case? What's the next best option if that isn't available? How can I tell if my sunlight is direct? All very valid questions - read about finding optimal light for your planter!

Once your sunflower has germinated, it will grow well in normal room temperature (70-75 ​°F)​. Ideal conditions for germination are at a slightly higher temperature (80 °F).

Depending on how warm your home is and how much direct light your planter gets, the time between waterings will vary. Peer through your mason jar to check the soil color - as it dries out it will turn a lighter shade of brown. That is your cue to add more water! Additionally, when your sunflower seedlings are small, you will water less frequently than when your plant is larger - so stay vigilant and check your plant often!

The best visual indicator of overwatering is when you tilt the jar to its side and see lots of water sloshing around the bottom. Use a thin instrument like a chopstick to poke a hold in the soil down to the bottom of the jar.

You can carefully invert the jar to help drain the water from the soil, and wait until the soil appears fully dry before watering again. Going forward, add less water each time to prevent excess moisture from building up.

The green stuff is algae, which thrives in moist environments while also having lots of direct sunlight. This isn't detrimental to plant growth, but if you want to reduce algal growth add water only once the soil has dried out completely.

Soil gnats and fruit flies are common indoors when moisture is present, for example when a cup of water left uncovered or in your case, with damp soil. We recommend watering less frequently so that the soil is less moist. In addition, you can create a diluted soapy solution to spray the base of your plants with. Don't worry – this won't harm your plant. Here's a link to our favorite homemade recipe.

After germination, you may have multiple sunflower seedlings in your planter. Unfortunately, your container is really only meant to grow one full-size stem, so you’ll need to remove any extras.

2 weeks after planting, remove all but the 3 strongest seedlings. Once these have multiple sets of leaves, remove all but one.

To thin properly, first add a bit of water to the soil to soften. Next, carefully pull out stems by the part of the stem closest to the soil, being cautious to avoid disturbing other plants.

In order to have enough space for the roots to grow, and for your sunflower to grow into a healthy, mature plant with a full bloom!

You can still remove excess plants by trimming using the method mentioned above.

How big your sunflower gets is going to be a result of the environment it’s growing in. Maximize your sunflower size by giving it ample sunlight - preferably 8+ hours!

Generally speaking, your sunflower will grow anywhere between 8 and 24 inches tall. No matter how tall it gets, you’ll be sure to get a big bloom!

Usually at about 8 to 10 weeks after germination, a flower bud will emerge from the top of the plant stem. It will slowly open over the next 2-3 weeks to reveal a beautiful bloom! Continue to add water and it’ll stay in bloom for weeks!

Sunflowers will grow to full maturity only needing the nutrients we’ve packed into our custom soil blend - no need to add any additional fertilizer or soil amendments!

If your sunflower seems to be stuck as a small plant, a few things can help:

• Thin down to 1 seedling - this will maximize the amount of nutrients for a single stem to grow tall and strong.
• Check your soil - if your plant is overwatered, root growth may be stunted. Drain your planter and let your soil dry out before adding more water.
• Ensure it gets 8 hours of sunlight per day - or supplement sunlight with a grow light.