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TITHONIA rotundifolia

Image of Tithonia rotundifolia

Felder Rushing

Family

Asteraceae

Botanical Name

TITHONIA rotundifolia

Plant Common Name

Clavel de Muerto, Mexican Sunflower

General Description

Mexican sunflower is a tall, erect, branching tender perennial native to Mexico and Central America. It is prized for its beautiful bright orange to orange-red flowers produced summer to fall. The leaves are large and fuzzy. Among its many cultivars are 'Torch', with dazzling orange-red flowers, and the compact, vivid-orange-flowered 'Goldfinger'.

Mexican sunflower is at its best in full sun and moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil. It adds vertical impact to a mixed or annual border, is a beautiful cut flower, and is favored by hummingbirds and butterflies.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 5

  • Sunset Zone

    A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m

  • Width

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

  • Native To

    Mexico, Central America

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Orange, Orange Red

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes