Zinnias are beautiful flowers that are great for butterfly gardens. Its blooms can provide an explosion of colour in your landscape. It is easy to grow as an annual. Plant zinnia anywhere you want color, including in containers, patio gardens, recreational areas, walkways, borders and mass plantings. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and also makes great cut flowers. They are one of the simplest flowers to plant since they grow rapidly and produce a lot of blossoms. Growing zinnia plants may be an affordable option, especially if they are grown from seed.

Perennial or Annual

They are a perennial plant in zones 9 to 11, but are a very popular annual plant in zones 2 to 8. Common Zinnia is a very rewarding, brightly coloured plant that blooms from early summer until frost. They are very popular amongst gardeners due to their variety of sizes, colours and forms. As an annual, it is easy to grow.

Quick Growing Guide

Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans

En français: Zinnia

See More Plants in this Botanical Family:

Blooms:

Sun / Shade:

Water: Tolerates drought.

Hardiness Zones:

zinnia plantation with hundreds of multicolured zinnias
Zinnia plantation in Spain
Credit: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to Grow Zinnia elegans

Sow zinnia seeds directly into the sunny flower bed after the last frost date has passed. Plant seeds in loam or high organic soils that are well-draining. They require full sun and grow well in many different places such as in pots, in cottage gardens, or in cut gardens. Note that their developing roots do not like to be disturbed.

Companion Plants

Companion plant suggestions include Marigold, Dusty Miller, Sanvitalia, Cosmos.

Caring for Common Zinnia

Seedlings, like a majority of plants, require more frequent watering than mature ones. Watering young plants with an inch of water will result in healthy roots, which will help your plant flourish. Zinnias require less water later in their life cycle as they develop and are considered drought tolerant.

Pruning Zinnia

Zinnias should be pruned by cutting all the way down to the nearest branch. Pruning your zinnias will increase production and promote thicker growth, resulting in a lovely crop of blooms throughout the growing season.

Other

Zinnia is susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spots and root rot.

The Aztecs originally called them “plants that are hard on the eyes” because of their bright and colourful flowers.

The zinnia is named in honor of Johann Gottfried Zinn, a German botanist.

Comments

Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More on Gardening Calendar

Aloe Vera Gel

Discover how to grow and use Aloe Vera, a popular cactus-like succulent, as an effective medicinal plant. Learn how to harvest the leaves, make your own gel, and care for your Aloe Vera plant!

Slender Blazing Star

Slender Blazing Star is best to plant with slow-growing perennials or as a border plant. Discover more about this non-competitive plant.

Hoary Vervain

the hoary vervain bee, or Evylaeus villosulus. Likewise, it has been recorded that there are over 60 species of butterflies and moths, including the Northern Broken Dash, Sachem Skipper, and large orange sulphur, actively feeding on its flowers. Verbena stricta, or hoary vervain, is a wildflower native to most states in the US. It's known for its beautiful flowers and attracts a variety of bees and butterflies such as honeybees and the Northern Broken Dash. Learn more about this special flower and its features.

Partridgeberry

Plant partridgeberry to add interest to your garden with its glossy foliage, flowers, and fruit. Native to the eastern US, it's an evergreen ground cover that thrives in woodland/shade gardens, under trees, and in part-shade border fronts or rock gardens. Learn the best tips for successful planting and growing of this plant!

How to Create a Relaxing Backyard

Backyards are meant to be a relaxing haven, a place for the entire family to enjoy. Picture an oasis, where you can let the stresses of life drift by. If your backyard doesn’t fit this picture, you can make some simple improvements. You will be astounded by the ease of a transformation.