Tithonia Diversifolia: A Comprehensive Guide

Mexican sunflower, also known as Tithonia diversifolia, is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. Tree marigold, Mexico tournesol, Japanese sunflower, or nitobe chrysanthemum are other names for this heat-loving annual plant.

This perennial plant is indigenous to Central America and Mexico. Mexican sunflower is the name given to a plant as it originated in Mexico, and the flowerhead is typical of sunflowers when you examine it.

 

Tithonia diversifolia: Key facts

Botanical name	Tithonia diversifolia
Family	Asteraceae
Common name	Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower, tree marigold, Mexico tournesol, or nitobe chrysanthemum
Plant type	Perennial, annual
Native	Central America and Mexico
Leaf type	Large, garish leaves, 5–15 cm wide and 10–30 cm long
Flower Characteristics	In the shades of red, yellow, and orange and are beaming.
Varieties available	10-15 species
Height	4-6 feet in height and 3-4 feet wide
Season	All year round, flowers are produced from mid-summer until frost.
Bloom time	Summer, fall
Sun exposure	Full and direct
Ideal temperature	60° Fahrenheit
Soil type	Sandy, well-drained
Ideal location for placement	Outdoors
Maintenance	Low maintenance
Water requirement	Average water needs
Fertilisation	Once every 2-3 months during the growing season
Pruning	Trim withered leaves once a month
Potting Suggestions	Needs excellent drainage in pots

 

Tithonia diversifolia: Physical description

1. Tithonia diversifolia is a bushy plant that can grow up to 4-6 feet in height and 3-4 feet wide.
2. This flower comes in shades of red, yellow, and orange.
3. The large, garish leaves of this plant are said to be 5–15 cm wide and 10–30 cm long. 
4. It has the potential to flourish all year round.

Source: Pinterest

 

Tithonia diversifolia: How to grow?

• Tithonia is an annual flowering plant that grows best from seed. In the middle to end of spring, sprinkle some Mexican sunflower seeds over the prepared soil in your outdoor garden.
• Water the seeds lightly so that they can settle into the soil easily. Keep the soil slightly moist and not drenched until the seeds germinate. It takes upto 5-14 days for seeds to germinate.
• The Mexican sunflower plant needs room to branch out and spread out, so once your seedlings are approximately 5 cm tall, remove some of the plants so that there is about 60 cm of space between the plants.
• The other propagation method is through cuttings. Cut healthy cuttings of Mexican sunflowers that are 20 to 30 cm long.
• Remove all the leaves except one of the two. Cut the remaining leaves of the Mexican sunflower in half.
• In a spot with filtered sun, plant the cuttings in moist, loose potting soil. Water your cuttings on a daily basis, and new roots will start forming in around 10 days.
• In about 8 weeks, your plant ought to be prepared for outdoor transplantation.

Growing tips

• During the growing season, it is better to keep weeds under control since they compete with other plants for nutrients, space, and water.
• During the growing season, in particular, these plants require approximately 1 inch of water every week. The ideal watering practice that should be adopted is a drip or trickling system that releases water at low pressure directly into the soil without damaging the plant or seeds. Keep the ground wet but not drenched for better growth.
• Some protection from strong winds and intense sunlight may be required until plants grow established. Good airflow is also important.
• A mild fertiliser should be added after new growth starts to show. Keep granular fertilisers away from the plant top and leaves. Usage of moderate amounts of a slow-release fertiliser is preferable because greater amounts could promote root rots.
• Those plants which are killed by frost in the fall should be removed immediately to prevent disease problems the following year. 

Source: Pinterest

 

Tithonia diversifolia: Maintenance tips

1. Overall, Tithonia is an easy plant to grow, and it’s fairly pest and disease-resistant, but still, it should be thoroughly checked.
2. These plants do not require any additional fertilisation for their growth, but a little fertiliser can be needed in the springs for this plant to shoot up.
3. In hot summer climates with insufficient rainfall, these plants require constant watering.
4. Tithonia should be staked to provide support as it grows; windy places require this especially.
5. Fertilisation can be needed once every 2-3 months, especially during the growing season.
6. Trim the diseased and withered leaves once a month for better growth.
7. If planted in pots, excellent drainage is needed.

 

Tithonia diversifolia: Is this plant toxic?

No harmful effects of Tithonia diversifolia have been observed or reported.

 

Tithonia diversifolia: Uses

• Mexican sunflowers can be utilised for multiple purposes, such as building material, fuel, compost, land demarcation, ornamental or living fences, soil erosion management, and fowl roosting, among other things.
• They are frequently used as a source of food for ruminants, including goats, cattle, and rabbits, who can consume the leaves, tender branches, and flowers. 
• They are used in agroforestry systems as green manure.
• Chosen for its rapid growth and vibrant flowers, Tithonia has the ability to fix and restore the nutrient content in the soil. As a form of organic manure, it can also be utilised in vegetable gardens.
• The leaves and flowers of this plant are said to be edible. They can be used to dress up salads or as a flashy dish garnish.
• A decoction of leaves is used to treat liver problems, stomach pains, indigestion, and constipation.

Source: Pinterest

 

FAQs

Can I plant Tithonia in a container?

It is not recommended to grow tithonia in containers; Tithonia grows very large and would require an excessive amount of water, sunlight, high temperatures and fertiliser to thrive in a container which makes it hard to grow in closed containers. Rather, one can plant these in their backyards.

Is a Mexican sunflower the same as a sunflower?

Not really! The resemblance is the only factor they share in common.

Are Mexican sunflowers edible?

Yes, the leaves and flowers are edible; they can be used to dress up salads or as a flashy dish garnish.