The Planting & Care Of Zinnias

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There isn’t much to learn about planting and caring for zinnias, for they are hardy plants that can easily be grown from seed.

Zinnias are colorful, spiky flowers that bloom and bloom for months. Today, my zinnias are starting to bloom in my garden, which always makes me smile.

I never fertilize or use chemicals on my zinnias, and I always have a riot of blooms throughout summer.

If you start having problems with insects, try to use natural solutions to deal with them to keep your garden chemical-free.

Genus:

Zinnia is a genus of plants of the sunflower family, which is within the daisy family.

They are native to scrub and dry grassland stretching from the Southwestern United States to South America, with a center of diversity in Mexico.

The Basics of Growing Zinnias

Annual: Zinnias are appropriate for seasonal use in all zones.

Types of Zinnias: There are dwarf varieties that grow 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. Others grow up to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.

Zinnia Shapes: Zinnias come in a wide variety of flower shapes, including stars, daisies, dahlias, spiders, buttons, domes, and quill-leaf cactus shapes. Within those shapes, there are also singles, semi-doubles, and doubles.

Colors: Flowers bloom in shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. There are also bi-color and tri-color varieties. Leaves are pale to mid-green.

Exposure: Full sun

How Long Zinnias Bloom: Late spring until first frost, but may show a slowdown in blooming at the peak of heat in summer.

Toxicity: Zinnias are safe to plant around animals because they are non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Planting Zinnia Seeds:

Zinnias can be planted any time through the end of June. It’s a good idea to plant multiple rounds at 2 to 3 week intervals up until the end of June for non-stop blooming right into fall.

Locate your zinnias in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun each day and has well-draining soil.

Sow seeds ¼-inch deep and follow the spacing directions on the seed package. Give them sunshine and water, and seedlings will pop up in 4 to 7 days.

Thin the seedlings to a spacing of 6 to 18 inches (depending on variety). Snip at the soil line with scissors.

(Tip: Pulling out seedlings can disturb the roots of those left behind.) Zinnias grow quickly; you’ll have beautiful, bright blooms in about 60 days.

Caring For Zinnias:

One recommendation I read for growing taller varieties for cut flowers is to snip out the center flower when the plants are about 18 inches tall. This will encourage plants to begin branching low, producing much longer stems.

Spent blooms should be deadheaded to encourage and prolong further flowering.

Water regularly, about 1 inch per week. Although they can tolerate dry conditions, they will do much better with consistent moisture in the soil.

Water at the base of the plant to keep excess moisture away from the foliage. This will help keep your plant healthy and prevent disease.

I find caring for zinnias easier than most any other flowering plant.

Saving Zinnia Seeds:

Seeds are easy to save. Let the flowers dry completely on the stem, then remove the seeds by lightly crushing the dried seed head.

Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for planting next spring. However, keep in mind that seeds saved from hybrid plants may not develop true to the parent plant.

Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt can be troublesome for zinnias. Keeping the foliage dry and providing good air circulation will go a long way toward prevention.

Zinnia Pests:

Zinnias can also be host to caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites. It’s best to remove caterpillars by hand. But mealybugs and spider mites can be treated with insecticidal soap.

Zinnias are deer-resistant and may even help protect other plants nearby.