Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Tithonia
Tithonia, the Mexican sunflower, produces vivid orange-scarlet daisy blooms on tall, branching stems that bring tropical heat to late-summer designs. Florists love its saturated colour and generous stem length for larger, garden-style and installation work. Each velvety flower has a neat central disc and slightly reflexed rays, glowing like a small sun. Its hollow stems need careful handling and plenty of water, but the payoff is one of the most intense oranges in the seasonal palette.
| Family | Asteraceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mexico and Central America |
| Peak season | August, September |
| Availability | July, August, September, October |
| Stem length | 60–120 cm |
| Vase life | 5–7 days |
| Colors | orange, red, yellow |
| Price tier | mid |
Handle gently: the stems are hollow and swell just below the flower, so cut them at an angle and support the heads while conditioning. Strip the large lower leaves and give a long, deep drink in cool water before arranging. Sear or recut stem ends and keep vases full, as tithonia wilts quickly if it runs short of water.
- •Handle the brittle hollow stems carefully
- •Give a long, deep drink before use
- •Strip large lower leaves
- •Keep vases topped up at all times
- •Recut stems if they start to droop
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- Mexican Sunflower
- Also known as
- Mexican sunflower, red sunflower, Helianthus speciosus, Leighia speciosa, Tagetes rotundifolia, Tithonia aristata, Tithonia heterophylla, Tithonia macrophylla, Tithonia speciosa, Tithonia tagetiflora, Tithonia uniflora, Tithonia vilmoriniana
- Distribution
- Belize, Bolivia, Caribbean, Cook Is., Costa Rica, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, India
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Tithonia in season?
Tithonia peaks in August, September, and florists can usually source it July, August, September, October. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Tithonia last in a vase?
Expect 5–7 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Tithonia?
Good substitutes for Tithonia include Sunflower, Zinnia, Dahlia, Marigold. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Tithonia symbolise?
Tithonia is associated with adoration, warmth, vitality, sunshine.
How do you care for cut Tithonia?
Handle the brittle hollow stems carefully
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Tithonia”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/tithonia/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/tithonia/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Tithonia</a>