Maximilian Sunflower Seeds
Maximilian Sunflower Seeds - Helianthus maximiliani
- Hardy to Zone 3
Full Sun
- Germination Tested October 21, 2025: 80%
- Approximately 70 seeds per packet
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Expected to restock December 2026.
Maximilian sunflower is an excellent multi-purpose permaculture plant. It's a late bloomer, making it an important nectar source for pollinators late in the season. It can grow up to 8 feet tall in ideal conditions, making it an excellent privacy screen or wind break. They like moist but well draining soil in full sun.
The seeds are small, but edible. The plants are quite deer resistant. The roots form a thick barrier that can keep grass from creeping into a garden. Toby Hemenway calls them a "fortress plant."
Plants eventually grow to form a patch that produces a lot of biomass useful for mulch and composting.
50% of sales from this variety go to Sovereign Seeds, an Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to the revitalization of Indigenous seed and food sovereignty in so-called Canada.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.
Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.
Shipping within Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.
Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery and/or tracking.
Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS
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Shipping Internationally
International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.
International shipping countries include: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts.
Refund Policy
Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.
Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion. We do not accept returns on seeds or plants.
Refused orders: We cannot issue a refund if you refuse to accept or do not claim an order we've mailed to you, or made available for local pickup.
Incorrect addresses: Please double check your mailing address, and let us know ASAP if you've entered an incorrect address at checkout. We may need to charge for additional shipping fees to resend orders.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
