Based on the examination of the H. tuberosus parents, the F1, IM1F1 and BC1F1, hybridization followed by selection for domestication traits appears feasible to improveHelianthus for use as a perennial oil-seed crop. The development of perennial oil-seed is a long term endeavor; however, there are checkpoints along the way such as use as a trap crop that provide value during the development. As these checkpoints are reached new agronomic and disease challenges (likely due to the lack of crop rotation) will need to be addressed in order for perennial crops to be adopted. In addition, much can be learned about the biology of perennial habit and about interspecific hybridization. The intermating (IM1F1) approach exhibited the greatest potential, as domestication traits were improved in the IM1F1 while maintaining perenniality in a high proportion of the population. The improved phenotypic traits in the IM1F1 may be indicative of the loss of wild chromosomes or portions of chromosomes in favor of domestic chromosomes.