Sunflowers are beautiful and easy to grow, making them a popular choice for gardeners. They are versatile plants that offer many benefits, from increased biodiversity in the soil to natural pest control. Sunflowers can also be used for oil production, food production, medicinal purposes, and more. If you’re looking for an easy-to-grow, beneficial plant for your yard or farm, sunflowers may be a great choice. Let’s look at the benefits of sunflowers.
Benefits of sunflowers
Sunflowers are not just beautiful, they have edible seeds that are rich in nutrition that humans and animals an enjoy.
The main benefit of planting sunflowers is that they will beautify your yard. The large, vibrant blooms of sunflowers are sure to catch the eye, and they will add a splash of color to your garden. They also require very little maintenance, making them an ideal choice for novice gardeners or those with busy schedules.
Improve soil
The strong root system of sunflowers also helps prevent soil erosion by binding the soil together, making it an ideal choice for gardens or yards on hillsides or other areas prone to erosion.
Sunflowers are also known to have a detoxifying effect on the soil. They can remove metal traces, such as arsenic, lead, manganese, zinc, and copper, from the soil.
After sunflowers have died, you can leave them on the soil to rot down. This will help to produce organic matter, adding nutrients and improving your soil’s overall condition. Alternatively, you can use the plants to make compost, which is high in nutrients.
Attract insects
Sunflowers can also help increase biodiversity in soil. Because they tend to grow in large groups, they provide a home for many different types of insects, birds, and animals. Birds will often flock toward sunflowers to eat the insects and seeds. This increases the diversity in your garden, which can help break up insect cycles that lead to more plant pests.
They will also attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies to your yard as they produce a lot of pollen.
Food
One of the most common uses for sunflowers is oil production. Many health food stores and grocery stores sell sunflower oil, which can be used in cooking or as a base for homemade beauty products such as lotions and lip balms.
According to WebMD, the consumption of sunflower seeds are a good source of:
- Vitamin E- A fantastic source of antioxidants, Vitamin E helps protect cells from damage. It’s also important for healthy skin and hair.
- Flavonoids- Boost your immune system, can improve heart health
- Zinc- Zinc is a mineral that is essential for human health. It is involved in many different processes in the body, including growth, development, and reproduction. Zinc is also important for the immune system. Some health benefits of zinc include improved wound healing, reduced inflammation, and better cognitive function.
- Selenium (an anti-inflamatory, which can lower blood pressure)
Animal feed
Sunflowers can also be used to produce food or feed livestock. The seeds of sunflower seeds are rich in protein and other nutrients, making them an excellent option for farmers looking to feed their animals in an efficient and sustainable way. Humans can also eat sunflower seeds.
Attract Birds
Growing sunflowers or putting out sunflower seeds are a popular bird feeding option because they attract a variety of birds, including:
- Sparrows
- Chickadees
- Goldfinches
- Blue Jays
- Cardinals
- Nuthatches
- Humingbirds (the flower heads, not the seeds)
If you are looking to plant sunflowers to attract birds. Go with Helianthus annuus.
Medicinal
Conuming a moderate amount of sunflower seeds may have some health benefits. Sunflowers may also have some medicinal properties. For example, studies have shown that the oils extracted from sunflower seeds and flowers can help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
- Sunflower oil is also rich in vitamin E, which can help boost immune function and reduce oxidative stress within the body.
- Eating sunflower seeds can also help improve the health of your skin and hair.
- Sunflower seeds reduce chronic inflamation, which can be beneficial when free radicals and heavy metals come into play.
Cut flowers
Sunflowers look great and can be cut and added to floral displays. You can bring sunflowers into your home or give them to your friends as a gift.
Companion planting
Sunflowers make great companion plants and can be added to the edge of your vegetable garden. They help control insect infestations and add necessary nutrients to the soil. If you plan to grow sweetcorn, melons, cucumber, or squash, you can plant sunflowers alongside these vegetables.
Be careful not to plant sunflowers near legumes or potatoes, as sunflowers release toxins that can affect how they grow.
Conclusion
Overall, sunflowers are an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a bit of beauty and functionality to their yard. With so many different benefits, they’re sure to become a staple in your garden.
Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-grow plant that will help improve soil quality, provide food or feed for your livestock, or even help reduce inflammation within the body, sunflowers may be just what you’re looking for.