SUNFLOWER season has officially begun, with May being the perfect time to plant these beloved flowers.
For first time gardeners, this affordable 89p ingredient could be the ideal solution for keeping your plants tall and healthy this summer, experts say.
Tall sunflowers are hard to grow, but these expert tips can make it a lot easier Credit: Getty
Aldi Ground Cinnamon can get help get rid of common garden pests Credit: Aldi
Ground cinnamon is a cheap solution for getting rid of mould and other pests, says Kent-based gardener and influencer, Garden by Chris .
Sunflowers commonly attract pests, especially in humid conditions, due to the nutrients they contain and their abundance in pollen and nectar.
Chris told The Sun: “One of my top tips is to sprinkle some ground cinnamon over the surface after you’ve sown your seeds.”
“This will act as an anti-fungal against mould (especially in high humidity environments) and also acts as a deterrent to fungus gnats and other pests.”
Cinnamon can be bought for as little as 89p from , or it may already be in your cooking cupboard at home.
Another pest that sunflowers attract is slugs and snails, which Chris suggests can be deterred using wool pellets, sold at around £5 to £10.
“I like to use wool pellets, which you sprinkle around the base. When they get wet, they swell and create a kind of ‘mat’ around the plant, which slugs and snails really dislike,” Chris said.
Chris also shared how important the location you choose for your sunflowers is: “A spot in full sun, ideally 6-8 hours a day to get the best height, but also a sheltered position.
“Their heavy heads can cause the stems to snap if it’s windy.”
Growing tall sunflowers is a hit or miss process that requires a lot of practice to get right.
Lizzie Thomas works at Sam’s Sunflowers on Hayling Island, Hampshire, which was named the UK’s best sunflower field to visit in 2025.
For growing the tallest sunflowers, she has a four step method: “Seed, support, sun, space.”
Lizzie told The Sun that giant sunflowers often require a mix of crossbreeding two large varieties, and plenty of pollination.
For those wanting to grow tall for the first time, she advised: “Lots of nutrients and fertiliser. Feeding for giant sunflowers is very scientific and specific with timings.
“It will need to have support for being so tall. A scaffold type structure to keep it in place or placed near a house for support from wind.
“Most importantly – all grow from sun. More sun, taller sunflower!”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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