How to Dry Sunflowers: Heads, Seeds & Roasting

To dry sunflowers, wait until the back of the head turns yellow-brown and the head nods downward, cut it with about a foot of stem, and hang it upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place for several weeks. Once dry, you can rub the seeds out to eat or feed to birds, or keep the head whole for decoration. University of Georgia Extension says to protect the drying heads from humidity to avoid mold, and National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) guidance says seeds can also be dried in a dehydrator at 100°F, noting higher temperatures affect flavor. This guide covers harvest signs, drying, seed removal and roasting.

In This Article

When Sunflowers Are Ready
Protecting the Heads from Birds
Drying the Heads
Removing and Storing Seeds
Roasting
Drying Sunflowers for Decoration
Quick Answers
Sources

When Sunflowers Are Ready

Back of the head. University of Georgia Extension says as the reverse side of the head turns from green to yellow-brown, the head will nod downward; Kansas State says the back turns lemon-yellow and the heads face down.
Petals. UGA says the tiny petals covering the developing seeds have dried and fallen out.
Seeds. Kansas State says the ultimate check is to pull a few seeds and see if they have turned black with white stripes.
Timing. UC Cooperative Extension says harvest occurs 30 to 45 days after bloom.

Protecting the Heads from Birds

UGA warns of aerial attacks from birds. Kansas State suggests covering the heads once the petals begin turning brown, which also keeps ripened seeds from dropping out, and UC says covering drooping heads with cheesecloth-type fabric should save the seeds.

Drying the Heads

Cut the head with a foot or so of stem attached (UGA, Kansas State), or about four inches below the flower (UC).
Hang the heads upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place (UGA). UC says to hang them away from birds, squirrels, mice and deer.
Let them cure for several weeks (UGA) and keep them out of high humidity to prevent mold.

Removing and Storing Seeds

Dislodge seeds by rubbing two heads together or brushing with your fingers or a stiff brush (UGA); UC suggests rubbing the dried head across an old washboard.
NCHFP says sunflower seeds are usually left on the flower to dry, and may be dried in the sun or in a dehydrator at 100°F; it says higher temperature affects the flavor. See our dehydrator guides for general settings.
UGA says to let the seeds dry a few more days in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator to retain flavor. NCHFP gives storage times for dried foods of 4 months to 1 year.

Roasting

Sources differ, so follow the one you trust: NCHFP says dried seeds can be roasted in a shallow pan at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes; Kansas State describes simmering seeds in salted water or soaking them overnight and then roasting at 300°F for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally; UC describes finishing seeds in an oven set at 250°F for 4 or 5 hours after brining. Check often, since seeds scorch quickly.

Drying Sunflowers for Decoration

Large sunflower heads take a long time to dry, even in silica gel (National Gardening Association, a lower-authority source), and the University of Missouri lists sunflower in its silica gel table. Hang the head whole, as above. UC adds that you may dry the heads and then put them out in winter intact, like a natural bird feeder. For other flowers, see how to dry flowers.

Quick Answers

How do you know when a sunflower is ready to harvest?

When the back of the head turns yellow-brown and the head nods down, per UGA and Kansas State.

How long do sunflower heads take to dry?

UGA says to let them cure for several weeks.

Can I dry sunflower seeds in a dehydrator?

NCHFP says seeds may be dried in a dehydrator at 100°F; higher temperature affects the flavor.