This activity can be done with a single variety of sunflowers or you may choose to compare growth rates and heights of multiple varieties.

• Seed starter trays with soil
• Sunflower seeds

1. Prepare seed trays according to directions.
2. Plant seeds at a depth indicated on seed packet - usually about a 1/2-inch
3. Place in a warm, sunny spot.
4. Water to keep soil moist.
5. When the seedlings are big enough, transplant into your garden or a big pot.

1. Count and record the number of seeds you have in each pack. Additionally, you can measure the seeds
2. Be creative in counting! For example, you can counting by 2’s, 3’s 4’s, 5’s, 6’s, 7’s, 8’s and 9’s.
3. On the back of the seed packets, you should find information about germination time and mature height. Before looking at this, write a hypothesis on which one will germinate the quickest or which one will grow the tallest based on the size of the seeds.
4. Compare the days to germinate, mature plant height or days to bloom found on the backs of the seed packets.
5. Record weekly height measurements of your seedlings.
6. Turn it into an art project! Use yellow construction paper, cut into 1 inch x 4 inch strips. Glue the ends of each strip together. Cut a stem and a leaf from green paper and a black circle for the center. Glue them on a sheet of construction paper to create a beautiful sunflower. A fun variation would be to use sunflower seeds in the center for an added touch.

1. Choose a variable to test like sunlight, water or soil. How does changing the variable affect the growth of the seedlings?
2. Does one variety of sunflower grow different than another in the same environment?
3. Look up the word heliotropism. How does this process provide benefits to sunflowers and pollinators. What other plants are like sunflowers in this way?

Download the activity PDF