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Asteraceae
Mexican Sunflower
Tithonia rotundifolia
Warmth, loyalty, joy.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Tithonia
- Native to
- Mexico, Central America
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- Annual
- Height
- 120–240 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Average, well-drained
- Water
- Low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- Annual everywhere
- Lifespan
- One season
Did you know
- The fiery orange daisy-like flowers are absolute butterfly magnets — monarchs migrating south in fall will mob a Tithonia patch for nectar.
- It's named after Tithonus, the mortal lover of the dawn goddess Eos in Greek mythology, who was granted eternal life but not eternal youth.
- Despite its softness, the plant is remarkably tough — heat, drought, and poor soil don't slow it down; in fact, rich soil makes it floppier.
- It can grow from seed to over 6 feet tall in a single summer, making it one of the fastest-growing flowering annuals.
- In Mexico it's used as a green manure crop because the leaves break down quickly and dramatically improve soil fertility.
Color meanings
Orange
Sun-bright affection