Description

Tithonia, commonly known as Mexican Sunflower, is a fast-growing, heat-tolerant flowering plant that produces vibrant orange-red blooms. It reaches heights of 1.5–3 meters (5–10 feet) and spreads widely, making it an excellent choice for borders and hedgerows. The plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showing remarkable drought resistance.

The large flowers attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable plant for biodiversity. It is also an excellent biomass producer, contributing rich organic matter when used as a green mulch or compost.

🌞💧 Sun and Water Requirements:
- Prefers full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight).
- Well-drained, moderately fertile soil is ideal.
- Drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering in dry conditions.

✂️🫘 Methods to Propagate:
- Seeds: Direct sow after the last frost or start indoors and transplant.
- Cuttings: Can be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings.

🧑‍🌾👩‍🌾 When to Harvest:
- Blooms continuously in warm seasons.
- Cut flowers for arrangements or seed collection when mature.

Purpose

Tithonia serves multiple roles in permaculture systems:

- Pollinator: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
- Wildlife Attractor: Provides nectar and habitat for beneficial insects.
- Mulcher: Produces abundant biomass for green manure and composting.
- Dynamic Accumulator: Absorbs nutrients and enriches the soil.
- Border Plant: Used as a natural hedge to define garden spaces.