Zinnias are such a fun flower because they have so many fun traits for gardeners. They are a great cut flower, they can be grown almost anywhere, and they are easy and fun to grow. Zinnias are also popular among pollinators, making them a great flower to have in your vegetable garden. My favorite thing about zinnias is their color and shape varieties. There are SO many different types it’s hard to choose when picking them out.
About Zinnias
- ANNUAL
- Zones 2-11
- Full Sun (6+ hours a day)
- Neutral or slightly acidic soil
- Blooms late spring to the first frost in the fall, depending on when they are planted
- Can grow up to 4’tall and 1-2′ wide
- There are miniature varieties that are between 6-12″ tall and wide
- Prefer well drained soil
- Grow from seed
- Can be prone to aphids, spider mites and whiteflies
- Can get powdery mildew but some are bred to resist it
- Excellent as cut flower for bouquets and have a long vase life
- Can be grown in the ground or in pots
- Attracts bees and butterflies
Maintenance
- If growing tall varieties, cages or support placed early on will help them not break
- Requires frequent watering when they are young seedlings but be careful to not overwater as they can rot
- Pinch off the first bud when it appears down to the last set of leaves. This forces the plant to produce long healthy stems and more blooms
- Cut down in the fall after the first frost
Seeds
- Easy to grow from seed
- Can be started indoors with light or grow outside after the threat of frost has past. Check your growing zone and last frost date HERE if you’re not sure.
- Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly with soil
- Should germinate after 7-10 days
- Takes 2 months after germination to flower
- Can save seeds from spent flowers to grow next season
- Let the flower heads dry and release the seeds. I do this after deadheading them indoors
- Allow seeds to air dry and save in a cool dry spot, making sure to label
If you have a set up for seed starting, you can start growing zinnias now! If not, we’re hopefully not too far away from being able to plant them outside. Last year I bought a wildflower packet and tossed them in my raised bed and they flourished. I didn’t even do much to care for them. They are such an easy flower to grow. This year I plan on growing more varieties and starting them earlier so I can enjoy them longer. Send me pics of your zinnias when you get them going. I’d love to see them!
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