Mexican sunflower 'Torch' Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'
ABOUT
'Torch' is an erect, branching annual to 1.2m tall with rounded, lobed leaves. Bright orange or scarlet flowerheads, 7-9cm in diameter, are borne from midsummer into autumn
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Mexican Sunflower, Red Sunflower, Goldflower of the Incas, Torch Tithonia
Common names
Tithonia speciosa, Mirasolia rotundifolia, Helianthus speciosus, Tithonia rotundiflora, Urbanisol tagetiflorus, Urbanisol tagetiflorus var. rotundiflorus.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Mexican Sunflower is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, promoting a healthy ecosystem in the garden.
- Drought Tolerance: It has good resistance to dry conditions once established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Soil Improvement: When used as a green manure, the plant can improve soil quality by adding organic matter when it decomposes.
- Fast Growth: It grows rapidly, which makes it a good choice for quickly filling in garden spaces or creating a natural screen.
- Vibrant Blooms: The bright, showy flowers add a splash of color to the landscape, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.
- Low Maintenance: Mexican Sunflower is relatively easy to care for, not requiring special attention to thrive.
- Erosion Control: Its root system can help stabilize soil and control erosion on slopes and embankments.
- Companion Planting: The presence of Mexican Sunflower can benefit neighboring plants by attracting pollinators and predators of pests.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Tithonia rotundifolia has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially reducing inflammation in various conditions.
- Antimalarial: Extracts from the plant have shown potential as a treatment against malaria, a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites.
- Antioxidant: Contains compounds that may act as antioxidants, helping in the prevention of oxidative stress-related diseases.
- Analgesic: There might be analgesic properties associated with the plant, suggesting it could help in alleviating pain.
- Antibacterial: Some studies indicate that Tithonia rotundifolia has antibacterial activity, which may be useful in combating bacterial infections.
- Hepatoprotective: There is some evidence that the plant might have a protective effect on the liver, potentially aiding in the treatment of liver diseases.
- Wound Healing: There have been indications that topical application of the plant's extracts might promote wound healing.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch') leaves are sometimes used to feed livestock as a nutritional supplement.
- The stems of the Mexican sunflower can be incorporated into mulches as they decompose relatively quickly, enriching the soil with nutrients.
- Young shoots and leaves of the Mexican sunflower are occasionally used in traditional dishes in parts of Central America.
- The vibrant flowers of the Mexican sunflower are sometimes used in natural dyes, providing shades of yellow and orange to fabrics.
- The plant can be used in intercropping systems to improve soil fertility due to its deep rooting, which draws up nutrients from deeper soil layers.
- Due to its rapid growth, the Mexican sunflower can be used as a quick-growing hedge or temporary shelterbelt in agricultural settings.
- Mexican sunflower is used in some regions as a living trellis to support climbing plants like beans and cucumbers.
- The plant's dense growth habit makes it suitable for creating privacy screens in residential gardens.
- As a source of biomass, the Mexican sunflower can be utilized in the production of biofuel given its fast growth rate and high biomass yield.
- The flowers can be used in educational settings to illustrate plant biology and pollination, as they attract a variety of pollinators.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Mexican Sunflower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Mexican Sunflower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Warmth and Energy: The vibrant orange hue of the Mexican Sunflower represents warmth and the radiant energy of the sun, symbolizing positivity and vibrant life.
- Optimism: Its bright and cheerful appearance symbolizes optimism and the ability to look on the bright side of life.
- Adaptability: As Tithonia rotundifolia thrives in harsh conditions, it symbolizes adaptability and resilience in difficult environments.
- Passion: The intense color and large blooms are often associated with strong emotions, such as passion and enthusiasm.
WaterMexican Sunflower requires regular watering, especially during hot, dry spells. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 2 inches of water which equals approximately 0.5 to 1 gallons for outdoor plants, ensuring the moisture reaches the roots. During extremely hot weather, you might need to water twice a week. It's better to water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and to help prevent fungal diseases that can occur with night-time watering. Avoid overhead watering to keep the leaves dry and reduce the risk of disease.
LightMexican Sunflower thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. The best spot for this plant would be an open area with clear exposure to the sun throughout the day, without any shade from trees or buildings. Partial shade is tolerated but can lead to fewer blooms and a leggier plant.
TemperatureMexican Sunflower prefers warm conditions and is best suited to temperatures between 50°F and 90°F. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 30°F, but frost can be detrimental to the plant. This warm-season annual enjoys the heat and does not perform well in cool temperatures, making it an ideal choice for growing during the warmer months in most regions of the United States.
PruningPruning Mexican Sunflower is important for maintaining a tidy appearance, encouraging bushier growth, and prolonging the blooming period. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Light pruning can be done throughout the season to shape the plant and remove any damaged or diseased stems. The best time for a more significant pruning is in early spring or after the main blooming cycle has finished.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Mexican Sunflower 'Torch' thrives in a well-draining, fertile soil mix with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5. A recipe for the best soil mix would include equal parts of garden soil, compost, and a porous material like perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
RepottingMexican Sunflowers 'Torch' are typically not repotted as they are fast-growing annuals. Instead, they are sown directly where they are to flower or started in small pots and transplanted after the risk of frost has passed.
Humidity & MistingMexican Sunflower 'Torch' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require high humidity to thrive; it performs well in average outdoor conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in bright light, allow space for tall growth.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, enrich soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Mexican Sunflower 'Torch' begins its life cycle when seeds are sown after the last frost and germinate in warm soil, usually within a week or two. Seedlings quickly establish a root system and foliage, developing into bushy plants with sturdy stems. Throughout the summer months, the plants enter a vigorous vegetative growth phase, forming large, bright orange-red flower heads that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Following pollination, flowers produce seeds which mature as the plant begins to senesce at the end of the growing season. If conditions allow, these seeds can drop to the ground, self-sowing for the following year, or they can be collected for controlled propagation. The Mexican Sunflower 'Torch' is an annual and completes its entire life cycle within one growing season, dying with the first hard frost.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Summer
Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch', also known as Mexican sunflower, is typically propagated through seeds. The best time for sowing these seeds is late winter to early spring after the danger of frost has passed. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden soil or started indoors in seed trays with general-purpose potting mix. When starting indoors, seeds should be lightly covered with soil and kept moist at around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 21 to 24 degrees Celsius). Germination usually occurs within a week to ten days. After the seedlings have developed a couple of sets of true leaves and are stout enough, they can be transplanted outdoors, spaced at about 2 feet (61 centimeters) apart to allow for their bushy growth. It's important to harden off the seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over a period of several days before planting them in their final location.
