Black Oil Sunflower - Raw Seed (lb)

Black Oil Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a warm-season annual valued for its upright growth, bright flowers, and versatility in cover crop, wildlife, and habitat plantings. Easy to establish and adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, it adds height, structure, and visual interest to gardens and fields. Its deep, extensive root system helps explore the soil profile and capture nutrients, while its abundant blooms provide nectar and pollen for bees and other beneficial insects. As the seeds mature, the oil-rich kernels also become a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.

Best planted in spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed and soils have warmed, Black Oil Sunflower performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. It can be planted alone, along field borders, or incorporated into multi-species cover crop and habitat mixes. Its upright growth habit makes efficient use of vertical space and adds diversity to seasonal plantings. When used as a cover crop, mow or incorporate the plants before mature seed develops to prevent unwanted reseeding and return plant material to the soil.

Use Black Oil Sunflower to increase plant diversity, support pollinators and wildlife, and add biomass to seasonal growing systems. Whether planted as a striking garden crop, a wildlife food source, or part of a broader soil-building mix, it helps create a more active and resilient landscape.

For other seasonal cover crops, wildlife plantings, and green manure options, explore our full collection of cover crop seeds.

Black Oil Sunflower – Warm Season Cover Crop and Wildlife Planting

Did You Know? Black Oil Sunflower seeds have thinner shells and a higher oil content than many striped sunflower varieties, making them especially attractive to seed-eating birds.

• Seeding Rate: 8–10 lb per acre broadcast; approximately 3–4 oz per 1,000 sq ft
• Planting Depth: Sow seeds 0.5–1 inch deep into a prepared, weed-free seedbed
• Germination: Typically occurs within 7–14 days under warm soil conditions
• Plant Height: Commonly reaches 4'–7', depending on growing conditions
• Growth Cycle: Warm-season annual that flowers and produces seed within a single growing season
• Uses: Pollinator forage, wildlife food, habitat plantings, seasonal biomass, and mixed cover crop programs
• Facts to Note: No inoculant is required; mow or incorporate before seeds mature when reseeding is not desired

Contains: 100% Black Oil Sunflower Seed