Zinnias

picture of a zinnia from my garden

Credit: Tammy Wilson

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Botanical name: Zinnia elegans

Plant type: Flower

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Sun exposure: Full Sun

Soil type: Any, Sandy, Loamy

Flower color: Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Purple, White, Multicolor

Bloom time: Summer

Get a zing from zinnias!

Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, grow quickly, and bloom heavily. They make a massive burst of color in your garden.

Zinnias have bright, solitary, daisy-like flowerheads on a single, erect stem. The most common zinnia is "dahlia-flowered" and grows up to three feet. Other types are "cactus-flowered."

Use in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are suitable for edging, windowboxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets.

Zinnias are very popular for cut flowers.

Planting

• Zinnias are adaptable but prefer fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil.
• Full sun is essential.
• Seeds can be started indoors as transplants at or directly into the garden.
• Seeds can be started indoors as transplants in early spring, or in the ground in late spring well after the danger of frost is past.
• Sow seeds 1/4-inch deep in clear, loose soil.
• Sow in succession for a longer flowering display.

Care

• Deadhead to prolong flowering.
• Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly.
• Zinnias will die with the first frost.

Pests

Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, bacterial wilt. Minimize wetting of foliage to avoid disease.

Caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Avoid spraying and tolerate some leaf damage unless the situation is uncontrolled.

Recommended Varieties

• Get a full-size flower on a compact plant with cultivars of the 'Dreamland Series.' Dwarf and compact, these zinnias have fully double flowerheads, to 4 inches across in a wide color range; stems are 8–12 inches tall.
• The 'Thumbelinia Series' cultivars and dwarf and spreading, with single or semi-double, weather-resistant flowerheads in many colors.Their petals are 1-1/4 inch across and stems grow up to 6 inches long.
• The 'State Fair Series' are the biggest and tallest of them all with large, double flowerheads that are 3 inches across. Stems grow to 30 inches tall.

Special Features

• Attracts Butterflies

Wit & Wisdom

• The small narrow-leaf zinnias make nice dried flowers, too.

E-Cards

Send a free e-card! For more colorful zinnia images, click here.