Genus
Helianthus
10 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 3 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 7 still protected comes off patent on November 20, 2033.
Still under patent — 7 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- Double WhammyPP25494Helianthus plant named ‘Double Whammy’UNDER PATENTNovember 20, 2033
- Autumn GoldPP30117Helianthus plant named ‘Autumn Gold’UNDER PATENTOctober 10, 2037
- SUR67-1PP31819Helianthus plant named ‘SUR67-1’UNDER PATENTFebruary 12, 2039
- TMSNBLEV01PP31423Helianthus plant named ‘TMSNBLEV01’UNDER PATENTMarch 8, 2039
- TMSNBLEV16-1PP33172Helianthus plant named ‘TMSNBLEV16-1’UNDER PATENTSeptember 23, 2040
- BullHelidec 0201PP33506Helianthus plant named ‘BullHelidec 0201’UNDER PATENTNovember 12, 2040
- DHELSOSKBBPP36802Helianthus plant named ‘DHELSOSKBB’UNDER PATENTDecember 4, 2044
Already in the public domain — 3 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- SLG DS 05PP18654Helianthus plant named ‘SLG DS 05’PUBLIC DOMAINJune 29, 2026
- First LightPP13150Helianthus plant named ‘First Light’PUBLIC DOMAINJuly 16, 2021
- Low DownPP13197Helianthus plant named ‘Low Down’PUBLIC DOMAINJuly 16, 2021
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.