I’ve recently become very interested in growing flowers for cutting (and possibly to sell). I’ve consumed hundreds of hours of VLOG content on YouTube on this subject and the common denominator with all flower growers is zinnias. They seem to be a staple in every growers garden, so I started doing a little research and now have a new respect for this common flower.
I’ve grown zinnias before but I never realized what an amazing flower they are, until now. Zinnias are low maintenance, drought and heat tolerant, and come in hundreds of varieties. Their sturdy stems make them an excellent choice for cut flower bouquets. The brightly colored blooms make them a beautiful addition to your landscape as well. Due to the rising popularity of zinnias, they have been bred into hundreds of different hybrids. Zinnias are easy to grow in full sun and well drained soil. Seeds can be sown directly into the soil and seedlings will appear in just a few weeks. Zinnias prefer drier growing conditions (they are native to the southwest United States and Mexico) . They are prone to powdery mildew and spot, which affect only the foliage -not the blooms. To help prevent these conditions, only water them when needed and only water at the base of the plant. Wet leaves promote mildew and splashing water can transfer bacteria from the soil onto the plants.
Saving Zinnia seeds is easy. Simply let the flower seeds dry fully and then collect the seeds. Store seeds in a cool dry place in a LABELED envelope. (There’s nothing worse than pulling out seeds to plant in the Spring , only to realize you have NO idea what the seeds are). Plant the seeds (or seedlings if you start them indoors) in the ground after the threat of frost is gone. An important thing to remember is that if you have grown a hybrid variety, the plant that grows from that seed may not be the same variety as the plant you collected the seeds from.
Another reason to plant zinnias in your yard is for their ability to attract pollinators. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all love zinnias. Tall varieties with red or hot pink centers are the biggest draw for pollinators.
Zinnias will bloom from Spring to Fall. They are a “cut and come again” flower, meaning that the plant will continue to produce blooms even after cutting. In fact, they will do better if you cut the flowers.
Types Of Zinnias
There are 3 main types of zinnias – single, semi – double or double. The difference between these is from the number of rows of petals and whether the center is visible.
Single Single row of petals with a visible center.
Semi-double Numerous rows of petals with a visible center.
Double Multiple rows of petals with no visible center.
Zinnia flowers also come in various shapes and heights. Tall zinnias make a beautiful backdrop in your garden beds, while smaller varieties work well as a border or in containers.
Planting Zinnias
Zinnias can be started from seed indoors if you prefer, or if you live somewhere with a short growing season. Take heed to transplant seedlings when they are small and do it carefully. They prefer minimal soil disturbance. They are very sensitive to frost so do not plant seeds or seedlings until you are certain the last frost has passed.
Sow seeds only a ¼ inch deep.
Plant seeds 4”-24” apart depending on the variety. Refer to the back of the seed packet for specifics. When seedlings reach 3” tall thin them to allow for good circulation. This will reduce the chances of developing powdery mildew.
Zinnias generally take 60-70 days from seed to flower. This can vary slightly with variety and growing conditions. If you sow a round of seeds every week you will get a procession of flowers throughout the growing season.
Zinnias are annuals but depending on what zone you live in, its possible that your zinnias may grow the following year from seeds that have fallen on the ground. Im in Michigan (Zone 6) and I have not experienced my zinnias reseeding themselves, unfortunately.
My Favorite Varieties
Benary’s Giant – This variety is available in many colors. It can have a semi double or fully double bloom. The blooms are large (up to 5” across) and have long sturdy stems. They are stunning as a focal flower in a mixed bouquet or in a bouquet of entirely the same flower. Candy Cane Mix – This mix contains various colors all with red stripes. Making them a unique addition to your yard or bouquets. Cupcake Series Mix – This is a collection of bright colors with a few understated colors such as, buttercream and vanilla, mixed in. This series has some semi double and single petaled flowers included.
I hope this post gives you a new appreciation for this beautiful and versatile flower. I encourage you to grow these flowers in your yard or containers. The flower in the photo is growing in a planter on my front porch. I love it! It was the inspiration for this post. Let me know if you have a favorite variety of Zinnia (and I would love to see pictures!)
