Zinniaspp.
With magnificently colourful blooms that put on a dazzle display all summer long , it is no wonderment zinnias are such democratic flowers .
What ’s more , these show - break annual are incredibly wanton to grow .
We yoke to vendors to aid you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our link , we may earn a commission .
Z. elegans.
Continue on to learn how to grow and care for zinnias , and wow all of your neighbor – with barely any effort !
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
generation
How to Grow
Z. elegans.
Cultivars to pick out
upkeep
Pests and Disease
Best Uses
Zinniais a genus of flowering yearbook in the aster family , Asteraceae , that can be grown inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 through 10 .
They feature erect stems with bright solitary flower heads that bring forth expectant impressive blooms throughout the summer , attracting hummingbirds , butterflies , and otherbeneficial insects .
Common name(s):Zinnias
plant life type : yearly blossom
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):3 - 10
Native to : Mexico
blossom sentence : Mid to recent summertime
Exposure : Full sun
Soil eccentric : Any that ’s well enfeeble
Soil pH:5.5 - 7.5 , acidulent to slightly alkaline
Time to maturity:60 - 70 days
Spacing : 6 - 18 inches , depend on variety
Planting depth:1/4 column inch ( seeds )
acme : Up to 4 feet ( standard ) , 6 - 12 inches ( dwarf )
Spread:1 - 2 ft
pee Needs : Moderate
Taxonomy
rescript : Asterales
Family : Asteraceae
Genus : Zinnia
specie : Angustifolia , elegans , haageana
Cultivars : various let in crossbreeding
While more than 20 know mintage live in the natural state , there are only a few mintage commonly available commercially , and these have been bred into C of cultivar with flowers of many dissimilar bod .
plant can range in size from six column inch to four feet grandiloquent , with single , dual , or semi - double petaled efflorescence of many different SHAPE and coloration .
Z. elegansis the primary civilize species . The wild plant has nonsocial flower heads of about two inch with shameful and yellow centre and purple flower petal .
It is native to Mexico , but its original mannikin is no longer easy to discover due to cultivar that have escape into the wild , which have interbred and naturalized in many plaza around the universe .
Z. angustifolia , also eff as the narrow leafed zinnia , features smaller single flowers of white , yellow , and orange .
Z. haageana , sometimes have-to doe with to as Mexican zinnia , has smaller single or double petaled flower in yellows , orangish , and red .
Both of these species have been crossed withZ. elegansto produce many other variety .
It is potential that crazy species of old maid were civilize by the Aztecs .
These beguiling efflorescence plant their way from Mexico to Europe in the 1700s , were bred for all sorts of different traits , and eventually retort to the Americas , becoming popular in North American garden in the early 1800s .
With hundreds of cultivar available , these spectacular flowers continue to be one of the most democratic garden annuals .
These peak are easy to initiate immediately from seed outside or can be propagated indoors to transfer out after the last frost . The antecedent are a fleck sensitive to transplanting , so take supernumerary attention if you start seeds indoors .
From Seed
Sow sow direct in the garden after the last frost , in a bed of well enfeeble soil amended withcompost .
Here ’s how to plant them :
Recommended spacing and mature spread varies depending on which cultivar you plant . register theinstructions on your germ packetfor specific spacing requirements .
From Seedlings
Roots are sensitive and prefer not to be upset , so if you exist somewhere with a longsighted growing season , this one-year is well begin outside .
In areas with shorter , cooler summers , transplanting can be a useful agency to extend the season . It just need to be done with care .
It is useful to initiate ejaculate in two- to four - inch biodegradable containers like peat pots , or habituate cum cylinder block , to obviate disturbing the roots too much when transplanting them out .
That being said , I commence zinnias indoors every year , often using plastic container , and mine have always done just fine .
Start seed about six weeks before the last frost , planting one - quarter column inch deep in two- to four - inch muckle filled with awell draining pot soil . Keep moist until germination occurs .
Keep an heart on the seedlings as they grow , watering when the soil appears or feels juiceless to the contact , and try not to let plants become rootbound .
temper off for a week or so before plant out by actuate seedlings outside for geological period of increasing duration each day , lead off in a shadowed location and slow moving to full sun .
Zinnias are frost tender , so it is of import to hold off until after the last frost to plant them out in their permanent location .
Zinnias are one of the leisurely annual to get and among the most upbeat . Their vibrant flower in every chromaticity imaginable can liven up any flower bed or container .
full of all , these fuss - gratuitous flower prosper in gay spot with minimal tutelage , make them idealistic for beginners and seasoned nurseryman alike .
Light
Zinnias arefull sunlight loversthrough and through . To boom and produce abundant blooms , they need at least six to eight hours of unmediated sunlight per day .
Shade will shrink blooming and encourage leggier growth .
In cool climates , be sure to select the sunny office you ’ve got , while in very hot areas , a bit of dappled good afternoon shade is fair to middling , particularly for more delicate cultivars .
Soil
Zinnias are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions , but prefer well debilitate grease with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5 .
big Lucius Clay or sloppy filth can spell trouble , so if drain is an issue , better your soil with compost or believe raise beds .
Temperature and Humidity
Zinnias prefer minimum daylight temperatures of about 60 ° F , with 74 - 84 ° degree Fahrenheit being idealistic .
High humidity does n’t gravel them too much , but air circulation is key topreventing powdery mildewand other fungal conditions that thrive in areas with poor airflow .
Allow for between six and 18 inches between plants , depending on the form . Check the back of the seed mail boat for particular .
Surround plants with at least two inch ofstraw or bark mulchto help with drain , order soil temperature , and reduce skunk .
Water
untried industrial plant require mountain of water , aboutan inch per weekuntil they are well established . Water deeply a few multiplication a week in the absence of rainwater so the soil stays moist .
Mature zinnias are somewhat drought tolerant , and only call for additional irrigation during flow of red-hot , dry weather .
Water in the early morning to allow foliage to fully dry out in the hotness of the day .
If possible , it is best to avoid overhead watering entirely , using a soaker hoseinstead to get piss to penetrate deeper toward the roots while keeping the foliation teetotal . This will help bring down the risk of disease .
Fertilizer
While they do n’t need a lot of feeding , you’re able to mix a light program of a slow release , well balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting .
You may also append with a monthly foliar feed to encourage bigger blooms . I recommend spraying foliage with compost tea or a well balanced organic fertilizer .
You canlearn more about making and using compost tea in this guide .
Avoid high nitrogen plant food , which will increase leafage ontogenesis at the expense of flowering .
Container Growing
Zinnias are excellent candidates for containers , particularly the gnome or compact varieties .
Choose a container with good drainage and occupy it with a mellow - timber , water - retentive potting mixing .
Water more frequently than you would for in - ground plants , as pots be given to dry out faster .
you’re able to insert them into assorted containers for a splattering of color or give an integral muckle to one standout cultivar .
find out more about about maturate old maid in containers .
The old maid flower ’s vast popularity in plant breeding over the last few centuries think of there aremany unlike cultivated varietiesto choose from .
With a seemingly endless list of options , I retrieve it quite promiscuous to get lost whilebrowsing seed catalogsfor zinnias !
Flowers can take a few basic forms including exclusive , double , and semi - doubled petal arrangement .
Single flower dwell of a undivided run-in of petals with a visible center .
Doubles have multiple row with no visible center .
Semi - double , my personal favorite , have multiple run-in of petal with a seeable center .
Let ’s take a facial expression at a few of my preferred series and cultivars !
Chippendale Daisy
This fairly compact cultivar ofZ. haageanais great for low borders or edges . It grows 12 to 18 inches in height with single petalled bicolored bloom of cryptical Burgundy wine with bright Au ring .
‘ Chippendale Daisy ’
semen can bepurchased from Eden Brothersin a variety of bundle size .
Crystal
An All - America Selections bedding plant winner in 1997 noted for being “ highly liberal of powdery mildew ” and having an “ first-class duration of bloom season , ” cultivars ofZ. angustifoliafrom the Crystal ™ series feature small , single - petaled daisy - similar flower that flower all through the summer .
Crystal Series
The heavyset size of these eight- to ten - inch dwarfs make them ideal for container growing either indoors or out .
you may find packs of 500 seedsavailable from True Leaf Marketin lily-white , orange , or lily-livered .
Dahlia Flowered Mix
This is an heirloom cultivar ofZ. elegansdeveloped in 1919 . Long 40 - in root are transcend with stunning threefold flowers that are four to five inches in diameter .
‘ Dahlia blossom ’
The ‘ Dahlia Flowered ’ mix provide a arresting blend of pinks , yellowness , and Orange . These vivid and vivid blooms look beautiful in aggregate plantings , borders , and miscellaneous garden bed .
cum packet of various size areavailable for leverage from Eden Brothers .
Dwarf Pepito Mix
If you are looking for something colorful to grow in containers , along borders , or in other small space , this semi - double gnome motley ofZ. elegansis a great selection .
Dwarf ‘ Pepito ’
It matures to a conveniently accomplishable size , growing up to 10 inches tall , and produces a mix of pink , purplish , red , yellow , and orange flower with red centers .
Dwarf ‘ Pepito ’ premix semen can bepurchased from Eden Brothers .
Pop Art Golden and Red
This unequaled bicolor cultivar ofZ. elegansis a Modern variety show , granted Approved Novelty status by Fleuroselect for its large double - petaled golden flowers with ruby flecks , reminiscent of the risible - stylus work of Roy Lichtenstein and other pop artists .
It grows 24 to 32 column inch grandiloquent and spreads about a foot across . whitened and reddish or orange and cerise varieties of ‘ Pop prowess ’ are also available .
‘ pa graphics ’
This variety is sensitive to cold , only able to hold low temperatures down to around 60 ° F .
Packs of 500 cum can bepurchased from rightful Leaf Market .
desire More Options ?
Be sure to take a look at our supplemental guide : “ 15 of the Best Zinnia Varieties to Grow in the Garden . ”
With proper care , zinnias can continue blooming for months!Deadheading spent bloomsregularly will boost young unity to organise .
When they are untried , you’re able to choose to crimp the develop peak to encourage side branching , resulting in shorter , bushier plant with more flowers .
Keep in mind that this could stay flowering , especially in area with short , cool summertime .
These icing tender annual will pall after the first hard frost . If you want to hold open seeds for the next season , appropriate the last few blossom to mature to the full , then garner and store the seeds in a brown newspaper base .
You canlearn more about how to roll up flush seed in our usher .
While these flowers are easy to arise , issues with pests and disease do crop up from time to time .
Just be sure to provide proper growing consideration and keep an casual eye on your plants , and you should n’t have too much to worry about .
Here are a few issue to keep an eye out for :
Pests
Disease
Zinnias are perfect for anywhere in the garden that you require to pass tending to their eye - catching salad days . And their long flowering time of year means you will be dazzled with a show of vibrant coloring all through the summer .
They are wonderful additions to mixed planting flower beds and look beautiful whenplanted en masse shot .
The more compact varieties make great border orcontainer plants .
mankind are not the only fans of these middle - catching flower . Pollinators have it off the large , bright blossoms . Grow zinnias to attract beneficial insects , butterfly , and hummingbird !
They also make endearing cut or dry out flowers . They canlast for weeks in a bouquet , tally daze color to any outer space .
To expend for bloom arrangements , cut the prow at an angle just above a bud node in the morning time when peak are opening . Strip off the leaf and set in a vase of warm water .
you could well dry out the flowers by hanging them upside down in a bouquet in a well - ventilated expanse out of direct sunshine .
Grow a Rainbow
With magnificently colorful peak in almost every color of the rainbow , these impressive flowers are truly a must - turn annual .
Plant some zinnias this time of year , grab a waiting area hot seat , and watch the hummingbird and romance great deal to them !
Formore beautiful yearly flowersto develop in your garden this class , check out these guides next :
Photos by Heather Buckner © involve the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . Originally published April 17th , 2021 . Last update : May 21st , 2025 . Product photos via Eden Brothers and True Leaf Market . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock . With additional written material and editing by Allison Sidhu .
About
Heather Buckner
