Zinnia
Zinnia elegans; some listed varieties are narrowleaf zinnia (Z. angustifolia), Z. haageana or the Profusion/Zahara hybrids · Daisy family (Asteraceae)
| Hardiness zones | 2 to 11 |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun |
| Water | moderate |
| Life cycle | annual |
| Frost | Tender: killed by frost |
| Spacing | 12 to 36 inches |
| Soil temperature to plant | at least 65°F |
About Zinnia
Zinnias are summer annuals with bright flowers in many colors, easy to sow right in the garden once frost is past. They draw butterflies, hummingbirds and bees, including some specialist native bees.
Grown as a summer annual in every zone; frost kills it.
When to plant
Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.
- Start seeds indoors: 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost
- Set out plants: up to 2 weeks after the last frost
- Sow seeds outdoors: up to 2 weeks after the last frost
Sow directly after the danger of frost has passed, or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier; seed germinates at 65-70 F. Give plants room for air to move to limit powdery mildew.
Soil
Well-drained loam or soil high in organic matter; tolerates a wide pH range.
Follow a soil test; zinnias like fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Work compost into heavy soil.
Feeding
- monthly after planting: fertilizer with more phosphorus than nitrogen, such as 5-10-5. Feed about once a month at the label rate to keep new blooms coming, and water it in.
Harvest
Cut or deadhead spent blooms to keep more coming; 'Profusion' types need no deadheading.
Varieties (24)
| Variety | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benary's Giant series | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | Tall cut-flower zinnia, 36-42 in (NC State says up to 4 ft), with 5 in double flowers in many colors including lime. | |
| California Giant Mix | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | 3-4 ft tall with large double flowers in orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow. | |
| Crestar Mix | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | 18-24 in plants with semi-double, crested (scabiosa-type) flowers in warm and pastel colors. | |
| Envy | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | About 2 ft tall with large, semi-double pale green flowers. | |
| Holi series | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | F1 hybrids 12-14 in tall with 3-3.5 in flowers. | |
| Lilliput | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | 18-24 in plants with small pompom-like flowers. | |
| Magellan series | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | Early-blooming F1 hybrids 12-14 in tall with large flowers in many colors. | |
| Oklahoma series | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | About 3 ft tall with 2 in semi-double to double flowers; bred for cutting. | |
| Purple Prince | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | Tall, 36-48 in, with lavender-purple flowers that keep coming. | |
| Queeny Lime Orange | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | 1.5-2 ft plants with 2-4 in dahlia-like double flowers that open coral-orange and fade to peach with lime tones. | |
| State Fair Mix | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | Tetraploid zinnia 3-4 ft tall with large flowers (NC State says 5 in) for cutting. | |
| Thumbelina | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | Tiny plants 4-6 in tall with pastel flowers; good for edging and containers. | |
| Zowie! Yellow Flame | Common zinnia (Zinnia elegans) | 24-28 in F1 hybrid with bright bicolor semi-double flowers. | |
| Old Mexico | Mexican zinnia (Z. haageana) | 12-18 in plants with 2.5 in red-orange flowers tipped golden yellow. | |
| Persian Carpet | Mexican zinnia (Z. haageana) | 12-16 in plants with small single and bicolor flowers in yellow, orange and red. | |
| Crystal White | Narrowleaf zinnia (Z. angustifolia) | Low, spreading narrowleaf zinnia 6-8 in tall and 10-12 in wide with small white daisy flowers. | |
| Star series | Narrowleaf zinnia (Z. angustifolia) | Narrowleaf zinnia about 14 in tall with star-shaped single flowers in gold, orange or white. | |
| Double Zahara series | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | 16-20 in tall and wide with large double flowers in orange, cherry, fire, salmon, white, yellow and a pink-striped form. | |
| Profusion Double series | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | Same compact habit as Profusion but with semi-double flowers in salmon, cherry, gold, red, white and yellow. | |
| Profusion Orange | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | 11-12 in tall, spreading about 20 in, with single orange flowers 2-3 in across. | |
| Profusion series | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | Compact, well-branched plants about 12 in tall and 20-24 in wide; single flowers in many colors from white to cherry, orange and red. | |
| Zahara series | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | 12-18 in tall and wide with large single flowers in cherry, fire, raspberry, red, white, yellow and bicolors. | |
| Zahara Starlight Rose | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | 12-14 in plants with 2.5 in white flowers striped rose. | |
| Zydeco series | Zinnia hybrid (Z. marylandica) | Compact, well-branched plants 14-20 in tall and wide with large double flowers. |
Pests to watch for
Tarnished plant bug, Four-lined plant bug, Tobacco budworm (geranium or petunia budworm)
Diseases and problems
Powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf spot of zinnia, White mold, Bacterial leaf spot, Tobacco mosaic and tomato mosaic, Cucumber mosaic, Lettuce mosaic, Turnip mosaic
In the kitchen
Keeping it: Put cut stems right into water with flower food; zinnias last about 7-10 days and don't mind sitting near fruit.
Pets: Not toxic to dogs, cats or horses (ASPCA)
Sources
Photo: Photo: Reinhold Möller, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Photo resized for the web.
Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.