Botanical name: Zinnia elegans
Plant type: Flower [2]
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 [3], 4 [4], 5 [5], 6 [6], 7 [7], 8 [8], 9 [9], 10 [10]
Sun exposure: Full Sun [11]
Soil type: Any [12], Sandy [13], Loamy [14]
Flower color: Red [15], Pink [16], Orange [17], Yellow [18], Purple [19], White [20], Multicolor [21]
Bloom time: Summer [22]
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 grown from seed; they grow very quickly in the right conditions. Zinnias do not like to be transplanted.
- Full sun is essential wiht a minimum daylight temperature of 60 degrees F.
- Zinnias are adaptable but prefer fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil at pH preference 5.5 - 7.5.
- If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly.
- Sow seeds 1/4-inch deep.
- Space plants 4 to 24 inches apart depending on variety. (Many common varieties are 6 inches within the row and 2 feet in between rows.) See back of seed package.
- Germination occurs at 74 to 80 degrees F in 5 to 76 days.
- 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 [23], 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.
Harvest/Storage
Zinnias generally take 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions).
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
[24]
Send a free e-card! For more colorful zinnia images, click here [25].