By flower · summer and September 21
Sunflower: the flower of the yellow flowers trend
The sunflower went from summer fields to TikTok stardom every September 21. What it means, when to give it and how to make it last more than a week.
- Scientific name
- Helianthus annuusfrom North America
- Season
- June to Septemberin Spain; December to February in the Southern Cone
- Meaning
- Joy and loyaltyalso admiration
- Vase life
- 6 to 12 daysdrinks a lot of water
What it means to give sunflowers
The sunflower is associated with joy, loyalty and admiration. Its sun-like shape and color make it an optimistic gift: it doesn’t say “I love you” as directly as a red rose, but rather “you make my day”. That’s why it works just as well for a partner as for a friend, a coworker or your father.
On social media, the sunflower is also the official flower of the September 21 yellow flowers trend. A single big sunflower already looks like a bouquet, so it is the favorite option when the budget is tight.
When sunflowers are given
These are the calendar dates on which the sunflower is the most sought-after flower:
| Date | What is celebrated and why | Flower | Color | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| every year | Father’s Day It falls on Saint Joseph’s Day, the father of Jesus in Christian tradition. Flowers are not the most typical gift, but more and more people give sunflowers or a plant that lasts: a present that doesn’t wilt in a week. | Sunflowers or a plant | Yellow | Spain, Portugal, Italy, Bolivia and Honduras |
| every year | Yellow flowers (northern spring) The September 21 trend doubled: with spring arriving in the northern hemisphere, Mexico adopted a second yellow flowers day. Same song, same idea, different season. | Sunflowers, tulips or yellow roses | Yellow | Mexico and Central America, and increasingly Peru |
| 3rd Sunday of June | Father’s Day The US date, which spread to almost all of Latin America. Flowers for dad are gaining ground thanks to the “men deserve flowers too” trend: sunflowers, blue tones or a plant for the office. | Sunflowers, blue flowers or a plant | Blue | Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, USA and more |
| every year | Yellow flowers In Floricienta, the 2004 Argentine series, the heroine dreams of someone giving her yellow flowers. In September 2021 TikTok revived the song to welcome spring in the southern hemisphere, and the trend hasn’t stopped since. | Sunflowers, tulips or yellow roses | Yellow | All of Latin America · it started in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay |
They also appear on Amor y Amistad (Colombia) and Teachers’ Day, because they are cheerful and hold up well in a classroom.
From the Americas to the world
The sunflower is native to North America, where Indigenous peoples grew it for its seeds thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The Spanish took it to Europe in the 16th century, and today the huge sunflower fields of Andalusia, Castile or Ukraine are grown mainly for oil. Vincent van Gogh devoted a series of paintings to it in 1888 and 1889 that turned the flower into an icon.
Does it follow the sun? Only when young. The plant’s buds turn from east to west during the day and back at night; once the flower is fully open it stays facing east, which helps it warm up in the morning and attract more bees.
Sunflower season
It is a summer flower. In September, at the height of the trend, southern-hemisphere sunflowers haven’t reached their season yet and most come from greenhouses or imports, which is why they sell out fast that day. By region:
- Spain: June, July, August, September.
- Mexico and Central America: February, March, May, June, July, August, September.
- Argentina, Chile and Uruguay: January, February, September.
How to care for a bunch of sunflowers
- A tall, heavy vase: the heads are very heavy and a light vase will tip over.
- Plenty of water: sunflowers drink more than other flowers. Fill the vase halfway and check it every day.
- Trim 2 cm at an angle every two or three days and remove all the leaves below the water.
- Light, but not direct sun: they last longer in a bright spot than in the dark, but window sun dehydrates them.
Tip: if a sunflower droops its head, trim the stem and stand it in lukewarm water for an hour. It usually perks up.
What to combine it with
Sunflowers look good on their own, but if you want a more varied bouquet, combine them with daisies, eucalyptus or wheat for a country feel; with yellow roses for something more formal; or with blue flowers for Father’s Day and Men’s Day, which has been the trend in recent years.
Remind me 3 days before
Download the reminder and open it with your phone’s calendar: it repeats every year and alerts you three days before, so you have time to order the bouquet.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to give sunflowers?
Joy, loyalty and admiration. It is a bright gift with no obligatory romantic meaning, which is why it works for partners, friends or family.
Why are sunflowers given on September 21?
Because they are the showiest yellow flower and they star in the yellow flowers trend, which was born with the Floricienta song and went viral on TikTok in 2021.
Do sunflowers follow the sun?
Only when they are young: the buds turn from east to west during the day. Once the flower matures it stays facing east.
How long does a bunch of sunflowers last?
Between 6 and 12 days if you change the water often, trim the stems and remove any leaves below the waterline.
Can you give sunflowers to a man?
Yes, and it is more and more common: they are one of the favorite flowers for Father’s Day and Men’s Day.
