2026 Sunflowers Stamps
About This Stamp
With the 2026 Sunflowers stamp, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates a versatile native flower recognized for its beauty, nutritional benefits, economic significance, and ecological contributions.
Prized by both gardeners and pollinators, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) takes its scientific name from the Greek word helios, meaning “sun,” and anthus, meaning “flower.” Aside from common sunflowers, more than 50 distinct species of annual and perennial sunflowers grow within North America. Similar to other heliotropic plants like the alpine buttercup and Arctic poppy, young sunflowers follow the sun’s trajectory from east to west throughout the day. This sun-tracking behavior diminishes as the plant matures, and its stem becomes more stationary and rigid.
A dependable source of nectar and seeds, sunflowers are a favorite food plant for birds, bees, and butterflies. They also offer sustainable benefits including drought resistance, soil rejuvenation through their deep taproots, and natural pest control in gardens and on farms. While sunflowers are hardy, easy to grow, and tolerate both dry conditions and poor soil, true to their name, they do require plenty of sunshine.
Designed by art director Greg Breeding, the Sunflowers stamp continues a long tradition of highlighting native flowers on USPS stamps. In addition to sunflower stamps in 2008 and 2012, past native wildflower issuances include the 1992 American Wildflowers pane, Wild Orchids (2020), and Mountain Flora (2022), among many others.
The stamp art features four stylized sunflowers rendered in yellow, gold, and brown, with leaves and stems in shades of green against a pale yellow background. Using photographic references, illustrator Nancy Stahl sketched the initial drawing in ink, then used a vector drawing application to apply final color. “I always try my best to make my drawings approachable, interesting takes on what often are familiar subjects,” says Stahl. “I was fascinated by the underside of the sunflower’s bloom — how the stem is topped off with an almost petal-like double ring of small green leaves. The Fibonacci pattern made by the seeds at the center on the front side was mesmerizing once I dove into it.”
Stahl has designed more than 40 stamps for the U.S. Postal Service on a variety of subjects. She is especially well known for her highly stylized animal stamps, including the 2024 Save Manatees stamp.
The Sunflowers stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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