red exotic chocolate cherry sunflower seeds for planting outdoors sunflower garden raw earth colors plant. grow. love. about 50 exotic chocolate cherry sunflower seeds for planting. sow seeds 1⁄2 inch deep in groups of 2 or 3 seeds. space the groups 18-24 inches apart, depending on the variety. firm soil lightly, water and keep evenly moist. seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days. thin to one plant per group when seedlings have two sets of leaves.