I think they do need water, in fact when I put a sunflower in my garden I found it to be very thirsty!

I thought that as well, and a neighbor told me this afternoon that they are succulents and don't require water while they bloom. And in fact, the blooms will be bigger and last longer if you don't water them. I've been looking everywhere to find out if this is true or not!

Helianthus or 'sunflowers' are not succulents and they need a lot of water whilst blooming.
Like any herbaceous plant they need plenty of water and nutrients from the soil to make them grow and flourish, if you don't water them they'll wilt and die.

Liz, I note that you are in Carolina and so 'sunflower' might mean something very different to what we think of in the UK!
Any chance of a picture so that we know if we are talking about the same plant? Is it actually a succulent?

Very good point Bulbaholic, hadn't thought of that.

You can view my blog here and it's all about my sunflowers:

sunflowerjourney.wordpress.com

OK Liz, these are sunflowers as we know them in the UK, they are not succulents and need plenty of water whilst they are in flower. Thanks for the link.

Thanks, that's what I thought too. I guess we shall see how it works out when my neighbor stops watering theirs and I continue to water mine!

if its to go by your picture on your profile then your next door neighbour is definately wrong

The sunflower is no way related to the succulent.Succulents are related to Cacti like you have out in the desert

Keep on watering your tall sunflowers they are a flower despite what your neighbour says.
We grow sunflowers a lot in the UK

I'm off to water my sunflowers! Thanks everyone!