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Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.

Comparing Sunflower vs. African Marigold vs. African Daisy

The comparison

Sunflower vs. African Marigold vs. African Daisy

Units
Growing facts for Sunflower, African Marigold and African Daisy, side by side
Fact
SunflowerHelianthus annuus
African MarigoldTagetes erecta
African DaisyOsteospermum ecklonis
DifficultyEasyEasyModerate
Life cycleAnnualAnnualNot yet verified
Germination time7–14 days4–7 daysNot yet verified
Germination temperature21–24 °C70–75 °F24–27 °C75–81 °F18 °C64 °F
Sowing depth1.5 cm½ in6 mm¼ inNot yet verified
SunFull sunFull sun, partial shadeFull sun
WaterNot yet verifiedModerateLow
ContainersYesYesYes
Frost toleranceNot yet verifiedTender (no frost)Half-hardy (light frost)
Soil pHNot yet verifiedpH 6.0–7.0Not yet verified
Links
How to grow sunflowerRemove sunflower
How to grow african marigoldRemove african marigold
How to grow african daisyRemove african daisy

Up close

Meet the seeds

What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.

  • Sunflower field with tall plants and bright yellow blooms at golden hourFlowers

    Sunflower

    Helianthus annuus

    Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots

    A fast-growing summer annual you can sow straight into warm soil after the last frost. Pick dwarf types for pots or giants for height, and give them full sun.

    How to grow sunflower
  • African marigold plants growing in a field with many orange pompom flowers under a cloudy skyFlowers

    African Marigold

    Tagetes erecta

    Difficulty: EasyGrows in pots

    African marigold is a tender annual grown from seed in full sun, with fragrant leaves and showy flowers that attract butterflies. It also grows well in containers.

    How to grow african marigold
  • White African daisy with purple centre growing among orange flowers in a garden bedFlowers

    African Daisy

    Osteospermum ecklonis

    Difficulty: ModerateGrows in pots

    Osteospermum ecklonis, the African daisy, is an evergreen shrub with daisy flowers that have dark blue centres and white-to-indigo petals. It likes full sun and can be sown in spring at 18 °C (64 °F).

    How to grow african daisy

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The table, row by row

How to read a comparison

Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.

  1. Sprouting

    Germination time and temperature

    How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.

  2. Sowing

    Sowing depth and spacing

    How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.

  3. Timing

    Days to maturity and life cycle

    How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.

  4. Light and water

    Sun and water

    Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.

  5. Space and weather

    Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH

    Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.

  6. Pets

    Toxicity to cats and dogs

    Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick wins

Fastest to sprout

Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.

Pet friendly

Safe around cats and dogs

Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.

Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.

Comparing

Questions about comparing

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Two or three at a time. Pick them in the boxes at the top, or start from any seed's page with “Compare with another seed”.
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Yes. Every comparison has its own address, like /compare-seeds/?seeds=sunflower,african-marigold, so you can copy the link from your browser and send it.
Where do the facts come from?
From each seed's profile. Every fact there is researched and reviewed by our editors before it goes live.
Can I see metric or imperial units?
Both. The table picks the units that match your browser's language, and the switch above it changes them. Your choice is remembered in this browser.
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Found your seed?

Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.

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