Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share one of our favorite permaculture plants: Tithonia diversifolia, also known as the Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower or tree marigold.

Benefits and Uses

One of the primary uses of Tithonia in permaculture is as a “chop and drop” fertilizer. You can cut it down, chop it into mulch, or place the branches around other plants to enrich their soil.

Tithonia is also an excellent attractor for pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. we’ve observed bumblebees enjoying it just as we filmed this. It’s a reliable source of food for these beneficial insects.

Animal Feed

We feed the leaves to our chickens and rabbits, and they love it! The rabbits munch on the fresh leaves, while we chop it up and mix it into the chickens’ food.

Propagation and Growth

Propagating Tithonia is easy. You can make cuttings by snipping off a stem, stripping off the leaves, and placing it in water or soil to develop roots. This plant also readily spreads by seeds. As the flowers die, they produce seeds that can reseed themselves. If you want to save a plant for next spring, consider taking a cutting now before winter or simply collect the seeds for planting later.

Tithonia tends to thrive in zones 9 to 11, but some varieties may grow in colder climates. Although they are sensitive to cold, they come back easily once the warm weather returns.

Care and Maintenance

These plants require minimal care. We water them more during their early growth stages, but once established, they can tolerate less water, adapting well to hot conditions. Tithonia plants can grow tall, so if you live in a windy area, it’s wise to stake or trellis them to prevent breakage.

In conclusion, Tithonia is a beloved plant in our permaculture garden. I encourage you to explore its many varieties and consider incorporating it into your own garden. Although winter is approaching, now is the perfect time to plan for next year!

Happy gardening!