Single-stem Sunflower
Procut Plum Sunflower is an F1 hybrid that brings something genuinely new to the ProCut series of cut-flower sunflowers. Named for its deep plum-colored blooms, this bushy variety reaches 60, 72 inches tall and produces flowers ready to harvest in just 50, 60 days from seed to bloom. It's a true workhorse for florists and gardeners alike, drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and packed with the qualities that make sunflowers beloved: reliable summer-to-fall color, pollinator magnetism, and the kind of presence that stops people in their tracks.
6-12 inches apart
Full Sun
Low
2-11
72in H x 24in W
Annual
High
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What sets Procut Plum apart is its compact bush habit paired with those distinctive plum-colored flower heads, making it standout among other sunflower varieties. The plant thrives in full sun with minimal water once established, handling dry conditions with ease while still producing premium cut flowers. Blooming from June through November in most climates, it delivers months of color without fussiness. The tight 4-inch spacing allows gardeners to pack more plants into a bed, and the F1 hybrid vigor ensures consistent, vigorous growth across the entire planting.
Procut Plum is excellent as a cut flower, where its plum coloring and sturdy stems make it a standout in fresh arrangements. The flowers can be harvested at different stages, tight when color first appears, or fully open, depending on your intended use or market preference. For dried arrangements, let the blooms open completely, then hang them upside down in a sheltered location to dry. Home gardeners plant it for garden color, and its pollinator appeal makes it valuable for supporting bees and other insects throughout the growing season.
Starting indoors is not recommended, as sunflowers dislike root disturbance. However, if you choose to start them in containers to get an early crop, sow into 72- to 50-cell flats 2–3 weeks before your intended planting date. Seeds germinate in 5–14 days. Transplant carefully to minimize root disruption, though established transplants can succeed if handled gently.
Transplant outdoors after the last frost date has passed. Handle seedlings carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
Direct sow in the garden after the last frost date, once soil has warmed to at least 55°F. Plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Succession-sow every 1–2 weeks for continuous flowering, or plant multiple varieties with different days to maturity to extend your bloom season.
Cut flowers in the morning just after they open using a clean knife. For fresh arrangements, harvest when the color first shows, or wait until the bloom is almost completely open, depending on your market preference and how long you want the flowers to last in a vase. For dried flowers, wait until the blooms are completely open. After cutting the central head, the plant will develop side-shoot flowers. When harvesting seed heads for drying, cut them when the bracts begin to shrivel, then hang the flowers upside down in a barn or shed to dry completely.
Do not pinch Procut Plum plants. Pinching single-stem sunflowers will result in low-quality blooms or no blooms at all. If you're cutting the mature central flower head for fresh arrangements, this pruning action will naturally promote the development of side-shoot flowers, extending your harvest.
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“Procut Plum is an exciting addition to the ProCut series, a lineage of sunflowers specifically bred for the cut-flower trade. While the exact parentage and breeding story behind this particular hybrid isn't detailed in available sources, its inclusion in the ProCut line places it within a modern breeding program focused on creating sunflowers that deliver the vase life, stem quality, and aesthetic impact that professional and home gardeners demand. The development of color-specific varieties like this one reflects decades of selective breeding aimed at offering florists and gardeners reliable, repeatable results.”