48 Sunflower Quotes to Brighten Up Your Day and Inspire a Smile

Sunflowers can instantly lift anyone’s spirits, making them the perfect pick-me-up gift. Nothing quite radiates positive vibes, happiness, and joy like a sunflower. With their bright yellow sun-like appearance, we know sunflowers as “happy” flowers. And our selection of sunflower quotes might be the next best thing.

Read on, and you’ll find sunflower sayings and quotes about their beauty, positive energy, growing these beauties, and their presence in the arts. These short, sweet, and bright sunflower quotes can lift your spirits and brighten your day.

Quick links to our selections of sunflower quotes:

Best sunflower quotes.

Sunflower is the common name for plants in the genus Helianthus. This genus consists of about 70 species of perennial and annual flowering plants.

The sunflower is one of the most easily recognizable flowers in our world. One of the unique characteristics of these flowers is that they turn their face to the sun and the sunflower blossoms in the sun’s rays. Sunflowers stand tall, plain, honest, and upright. In this section, we’ve compiled some of our favorite sunflower quotes for you to explore.

Related: You might also like our selection of sun quotes, flower quotes, and wildflower quotes for more from nature and blooms. For more about these tall, sunny blooms, check our list of sunflower facts.

"We're all golden sunflowers inside."
- Allen Ginsberg

"The head of all flower heads is one flower; the sunflower in the sky, that gives the others vivid color stemming from the inside."
- Curtis Tyrone Jones

"A sunflower poem: The lofty follower of the sun, Sad when he sets, shuts up her yellow leaves, Drooping all night; and when he warm returns. Points her enamored bosom to his ray."
- James Thomson

"A sunflower teaches us so much about love."
- Samrah Ahmad

"I want to be like a sunflower; so that even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight."
- Unknown

The morning glories and the sunflowers turn naturally toward the light, but we have to be taught, it seems.

~ Richard Rohr

Sunflower quotes about their striking colors and unique beauty.

Sunflowers have an exceptional kind of beauty. It’s almost impossible not to recognize the enchanted sunflower as it turns its face to the sun. If you have a garden with sunflowers, you can watch how, in the morning, the sunflower blossoms.

A sunflower field is unlike any other flower field. Its vibrant, striking colors and bright yellow petals provide much to appreciate. As Matshona Dhliwayo said, “If roses tried to be sunflowers, they would lose their beauty; and if sunflowers tried to be roses, they would lose their strength.” Below, we’ve compiled some of the best sunflower quotes appreciating their beauty and colors.

"And the yellow sunflower by the brook, in autumn beauty stood."
- William Cullen Bryant

"And here the sunflower of the spring burns bright in the morning's beam."
- Ebenezer Elliott

"Pick up a sunflower and count the florets running into its centre, or count the spiral scales of a pine cone or a pineapple, running from its bottom up its sides to the top, and you will find an extraordinary truth: recurring numbers, ratios and proportions."
- Charles Jencks

"A sunflower field is like a sky with a thousand suns."
- Corina Abdulahm-Negura

Who knows what may lie around the next corner? There may be a window somewhere ahead. It may look out on a field of sunflowers.

- Joe Hill

Inspirational sunflower sayings about being bright and seeking the positive side of life.

Sunflowers remind us of what it means to look at the positive side of things. Even in dark or tough situations, exploring what lessons could be lurking in the corner is possible. 

Due to their ever-bright nature, sunflowers serve as sources of inspiration. The sunflower is basically like a satellite dish for sunshine. As they face the sunlight, they cannot see the shadow. Here are some inspirational sunflower quotes to help you maintain a positive attitude and stay bright and cheerful.

"Yellow is my favorite summer color it makes me feel like a sunflower."
- Bria Vinaite

"Turn your face to the sun, and shadows follow behind you."
- Maori Proverb

"Her smile put the sunflower to shame."
- Jerry Spinelli

"I don't think there's anything on this planet that more trumpets life than the sunflower. For me that's because of the reason behind its name. Not because it looks like the sun but because it follows the sun. During the course of the day, the head tracks the journey of the sun across the sky. A satellite dish for sunshine."
- Helen Mirren

"Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile some have a sad expression some are pensive and diffident others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and hollyhock. "
- Henry Ward Beecher

"Does she realize she looks like a sunflower, ready to rain sunlight on all who look down upon her?"
- Simone Elkeles

Space for the sunflower, bright with a yellow glow, To court the sky.

Like a single sunbeam on a warm summer day, there is an exuberance and brilliance in a sunflower.

- Unknown

A rose can never be a sunflower, and a sunflower can never be a rose. All flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that's like women too.

- Miranda Kerr

The earth paints a portrait of the sun at dawn with sunflowers in bloom. Unhappy with the portrait, she erases it and paints it again and again.

- Rabindranath Tagore

Advice from a sunflower. Be bright sunny and positive. Know your roots. Spread seeds of happiness. Rise, shine and hold your head up high. Keep on growing. Even on the darkest days, stand tall and find the sunlight.

- Unknown

Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair.

~ Susan Polis Schutz

Look at the sunny side of everything.

~ Christian D. Larsen

Quotes about sunflowers to inspire friendship and following the sun.

Many sunflower quotes remind us of what it means to surround ourselves with positive people. As Marie Williams Johnstone said, “True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away…”

So, if you’re looking to appreciate those special people in your life who journey with you toward the sun, you can gift them some sunflowers. You can also share some sunflower quotes with them - spreading positive sunflower vibes and putting a smile on their faces. 

"Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows."
- Jean Paul

"True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time."
- Marie Williams Johnstone

"Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it. And that's such an admirable thing. And such a lesson in life."
- Helen Mirren

"Smile to the world and smile to the people you love, as a sunflower smiles at the sun."
- Remez Sasson

"Mom has a massive sunflower for a soul so big there's hardly any room in her for organs."
- Jandy Nelson

"In the morning the sunflower blossoms due to the sun's rays. This morning I just wanted to remind you that my heart blossoms with love for you every day I wake up and it is going to do that forever."
- Sheila Carey.

Restless sunflower; cease to move.

- Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Sunflowers end up facing the sun, but they go through a lot of dirt to find their way there.

- J.R. Rim

My will broke at the sound of his voice, and my head turned with as much inevitability as a sunflower turning its face to the sun.

- Patricia Briggs

Always look at the brighter side of life, just like the sunflower, which looks upon the sun, not the dark clouds.

- Unknown

Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold; But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile some have a sad expression some are pensive and diffident others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and hollyhock.

- Joe Hill

The road to freedom is bordered with sunflowers.

~ Martin Firrell

I believe there is something of the divine mystery in everything that exists. We can see it sparkle in a sunflower or a poppy.

~ Jostein Gaarder

A sunflower for my sunflower. To brighten the dark October days you hate so much. Plant some more, and be safe in the knowledge a warm and bright summer awaits.

~ Cecelia Ahern

Sunflower quotes to inspire life and living.

As Pam Stewart said, “To always follow the sun, turn my back to darkness, stand proud, tall…” Sunflowers remind us that we can still recognize and focus on the light, even with darkness. 

To be like a sunflower, we need to recognize our unique beauty and recognize the light that exists in various situations. We’re all beautiful golden sunflowers inside; we only need to show up with this knowledge in the world, as this selection of sunflower quotes explores.

"I want to encourage women to embrace their own uniqueness. Because just like a rose is beautiful, so is a sunflower, so is a peony. I mean, all flowers are beautiful in their own way, and that's like women too."
- Miranda Kerr

"Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace."
- Old French Proverb

"Every flower blooms at a different pace."
- Suzy Kassem

"For Diwali, reds, oranges and another color is a vibrant yellow which I always love - sunflower yellow is attractive no matter which season you are wearing it in."
- Rhea Pillai

"The sunflower is a favorite emblem of constancy."
- Thomas Bulfinch

"The morning glories and the sunflowers turn naturally toward the light, but we have to be taught, it seems."
- Richard Rhor

"I faced the gaudy sunflower on her canvas bag -- it looked hand-painted and at last my eyes fell into hers."
- Jerry Spinelli.

"I would be a sunflower. To always follow the sun, turn my back to darkness, stand proud, tall and straight even with my head full of seeds."
- Pam Stewart

"There are not too many fables about man's misuse of sunflower seeds."
- Richard Brautigan

When I went out to work today and looked a tall sunflower in the face, it smiled at me with all of its seeds.

- Vladimir Nabokov

She is a sunflower! She brings hope to people.

- Avijeet Das

Someone was sitting in front of a sunflower, watching the sunflower, a cup of sun, and so I tried it too. It was wonderful; I felt the whole universe in the sunflower. That was my experience. Sunflower meditation. A wonderful confidence appeared. You can see the whole universe in a flower.

– Shunryu Suzuki

Never look directly at the sun. Instead, look at the sunflower.

~ Vera Nazarian

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.

~ Helen Keller

A long time ago in a kingdom by the sea there lived a princess as tall and bright as a sunflower.

~ Jeanne Desy

Despite knowing they won’t be here for long, they still choose to live their brightest lives — sunflowers.

~ Rupi Kaur

Growing sunflower sayings and quotes.

Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by beautiful sunflowers? For many, they are a favorite flower. They radiate positive energy all day long. The great thing is that they’re easy to grow, fast, heat-tolerant, and pest-resistant. Plus, they aren’t too picky about their growing conditions.

This section covers quotes about sunflowers related to growing these striking blooms in your own garden or admiring them in someone else's.

Related read: Rare Flowers From Around the World.

"I think it's something to do with the nurturing side of the psyche; tying up a sunflower or whatever and helping it grow, it is just some kind of core human experience."
- Joe Lycett

"So, I’m off to the market to buy a few sunflowers to place in a vase on my kitchen table. Have a beautiful day!"
- Olivia Dunn

"Which way will the sunflower turn surrounded by millions of suns?"
- Allen Ginsberg

"Let a hundred flowers bloom."
- Mao Zedong

"I plant sunflowers and get back daily joy."
- Nadine Locke

"Don't let the tall weeds cast a shadow on the beautiful flowers in your garden."
- Steve Maraboli

Big doesn’t necessarily mean better. Sunflowers aren’t better than violets.

~ Edna Ferber

Which makes it ironic my favorite flower isn’t even indigenous to the British Isles, let alone Yorkshire. I don’t think there’s anything on this planet that more trumpets life than the sunflower.

~ Tim Firth

Vincent Van Gogh's sunflower quotes.

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous painters in history. Many people know Van Gogh for his starry night painting. However, he also has quite a collection of sunflower paintings. According to the man himself, when Van Gogh paints sunflowers, they communicate gratitude to him. Here are some sunflower quotes from this famous painter.

"I am working with the enthusiasm of a man from Marseilles eating bouillabaisse, which shouldn't come as a surprise to you because I am busy painting huge sunflowers."
- Vincent Van Gogh

"I am painting with the same enthusiasm as a Marseillaise eats bouillabaisse … I am painting big sunflowers.
"
- Vincent Van Gogh

"The sunflower is mine, in a way."
- Vincent Van Gogh

Other sunflower quotes from art and literature.

Sunflowers show up in many art and literature pieces. Here, you’ll discover some sunflower quotes from people like Pedro Calderon de la Barca and William Blake.

"I remember my first role as a sunflower at nine."
- Kay Kay Menon

"I thought maybe I could become like the next Van Gogh. I bought a sunflower and painted it, and it looked like the work of a 6-year-old."
- Takeshi Kitano

"A flower blooming in the desert proves to the world that adversity, no matter how great, can be overcome."
- Matshona Dhliwayo

"Ah! sunflower, weary of time, Who countest the steps of the sun, Seeking after that sweet golden clime, Where the traveler's journey is done; Where the youth pined away with desire, And the pale virgin shrouded in snow, Arise from their graves and aspire; Where my sunflower wishes to go."
- William Blake

"Bring me then the plant that points to those bright Lucidites swirling up from the earth, and life itself exhaling that central breath! Bring me the sunflower crazed with the love of light."
- Eugenio Montale

"If roses tried to be sunflowers, they would lose their beauty; and if sunflowers tried to be roses, they would lose their strength."
- Matshona Dhliwayo

"Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold; But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold."
- Oliver Wendell

"My work is the world. Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird equal seekers of sweetness. Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums."
- Mary Oliver

"Light-enchanted sunflower, thou who gazest ever true and tender on the sun's revolving splendour."
- Pedro Calderón de la Barca