Sunflowers are having a pop culture moment

A few months back, florists preferred keeping just a few sunflowers which has now changed post the demand. Santosh, a flower seller, says, “Almost a year back, hardly anyone cared about the existence of sunflowers. Now, I am selling over 80-90 pieces of sunflowers from a bundle of 100 that I procure daily.”
Another flower vendor, Gopal Saini, adds, “I used to never keep sunflowers in my store for a single sale, but now whenever you come to my store, you will spot 100 - 150 sunflowers daily. Out of these, over 100 pieces get sold. That is a massive number because this was not the case six months back. The buyers are young and majorly women.” Gopal also says,
Another flower seller Abhiram Maiti has noticed the demand for sunflowers surging since November 2024. He says, “I have seen mostly college students, coming to buy these flowers. I have also noticed that to meet this demand, the supply has also increased.” A fascinated Maiti adds, “Previously I used to keep 10 bundles of flowers, but hardly two pieces used to get sold. Now I keep 50 because of the increased demand, out of which only a few are left unsold.


Young adults have taken to social media to express their love for sunflowers. One such individual is Riddhi Chitre (25) who recently visited a sunflower field in Maharashtra. Her experience made it to the Gram elevating her grid due to the pop of yellow that sunflowers radiate. The caption of her aesthetic images read: The sunflowers are proof that life can be bright and beautiful. Riddhi, whose bio too, features a sunflower emoji, shares, “To me, sunflowers symbolise positivity and resilience. Just as they chase the sun, they remind me to focus on the brighter side of life."
Another sunflower lover, Unnati Mishra (22) often buys fresh sunflowers. “I bring them home and place them in a vase where I can see them every day. Their warmth and positivity brighten my space and instantly lift my mood.” She is also someone who would prefer this flower over roses. "I would love it if my partner gifted me a sunflower – it feels unique, thoughtful, and deeply personal. While roses are timeless, sunflowers have a bold, radiant charm that uplifts me, making the gesture even more special."
Besides being a symbol of hope, positivity and resilience, sunflowers also make for a grand gesture. Utkarshica Srivastava (28), a sucker for sunflowers, believes it is for everyone. She shares, “What I love most about sunflowers is that even a single bloom is enough to bring a bright smile to one’s face. Unlike roses, often exchanged between lovers, sunflowers can be given to a friend, a partner, or even a parent.”
Expanding on the youth’s love for sunflowers, Shrey Sehgal, co-founder of an online gifting platform, says, “Millennials and Gen Z buyers are most drawn to sunflowers. I think it’s because they appreciate authenticity, bright aesthetics, and mood-lifting elements. They’re perfect for social sharing, DIY projects, and mental wellness themes—everything this age group resonates with deeply.”
The growing popularity of sunflowers stems from various factors. Sakshi Khandelwal, a florist, notes their increasing use in wedding haldi and mehendi décor as a key driver among the young. “Earlier, lilies, roses, and marigolds dominated, but with wedding designers embracing creativity, sunflowers have become a favourite,” she says.
Rucha Gujar Shah, a visual and experience designer, credits social media for sunflowers' rising popularity. “It’s all about the obsession with aesthetics – sunflowers are a vibe. Whenever you want to create a fresh, sunny or warm mood board, sunflower is the first thing that comes to mind. This is the vibe most people today strive to showcase on social media.”

Additionally, the popularity of sunflowers is partly driven by Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers series, which remains influential in pop culture, fashion, and design. Exhibitions, auctions, and AI recreations keep the paintings relevant, while social media fuels their appeal, reinforcing the sunflower’s symbolism of gratitude, warmth, and friendship.
Anushka (20), a student, says, “Though I love flowers in general, I associate sunflowers with Van Gogh, and buying one for myself makes me
(As suggested by Shrey Sehgal, co-founder, online gifting platform)

- With inputs from Shivika Manchanda