15 Gorgeous Wildflower + Sunflower Fields in Central Florida for Photos and Cut-Your-Own-Flowers

Visiting a sunflower field in Florida is a great outdoor activity for families. Local farms open in the spring and fall for U-Pick sunflowers and pick your own wildflowers, and there are also sunflower mazes you can explore near Tampa Bay and Orlando.

Sunflowers bloom in Florida in the Spring AND Fall, meaning we get two u-pick sunflower seasons – peak season is typically March / April / May and October / November – however, we have seen a few farms open in December and January as well if the weather cooperates.

These beautiful sunflower fields will provide you with a day of family fun and stunning photo opportunities, plus a chance to cut your own sunflowers! If you’re searching “sunflower fields near me” we can help you plan a day trip to find a zinnia field or sunflower farm near Lakeland, farms listed below are anywhere from 30 minutes – 2 hours from Lakeland, Fl.

Be sure to check directly with each farm for dates and times. Do not rely on Google business listings or even Facebook hours, farms typically post their upcoming dates/times on their Facebook page or Instagram posts. Not all farms are open both seasons, some farms are only open for sunflowers in the spring or fall.

We can also help find Strawberry Picking near you (January – March), Blueberry Picking near you (March – May), and Peach Picking near you (April – May). If you’re looking for fresh produce or fresh cut flowers, there are also numerous Farmers Markets happening weekly around Polk County, you can find them all in our Farmers Market Guide.

Sunflower picking tips:

• Be respectful and stay on the trails and off the flowers. Remember that the family farms you are visiting are the product of someone else’s hard work, and they are sharing so visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of flowers.
• Take your own scissors or cutters and a cup to put your flower bouquets in {some farms provide the cups}
• Some farms charge an admission fee and include other activities, tractor rides, farm fun, live music, etc. Others charge per flower stem.
• Be sure to check in when you arrive and follow the instructions for how to cut each flower stem, how many flowers you can cut, etc.
• Dress comfortably for the outdoors with closed-toe shoes. You WILL be walking in dirt and you may get dirty!
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen – fields are in the sun. Light colored clothing is best.
• Pick early in the morning when it is still cool outside.
• Take CASH!! Many fields only accept cash, others only accept credit.
• Leave your pets at home – most farms do not allow dogs or other pets.
• If you’re planning to take professional photographs, be sure to check with the farm before you go – many require a special photography pass to use the sunflower patches for photos.
• Keep in mind these are working farms, so there will be ants, bees, etc. If you or your children have allergies, take precautions.
• Don’t leave your flowers in a hot car. You may want to bring your own bucket of water to keep your fresh cut flowers hydrated on the drive home.
• Snap plenty of amazing sunflower photos to share on Instagram and Facebook!