Low maintenance and hard working, it’s hard to go wrong with zinnias in the home garden! Zinnias have colors cover nearly any shade you could ask for in the spectrum. There are even varieties with multiple colors although I don’t have any of those in my garden.
Zinnias are extremely easy to cultivate and just need a little water to get started then the zinnias pretty much take care of themselves. What is really nice is that they will continue to bloom with regular deadheading all the way into fall.
A couple weeks before the first frost date I let them go to seed then collect the seeds for the following year. The colors that come back the following year may be the same or different. The flower shape may change also but one thing is the same, great color!
Starting Zinnias from Seed
Zinnias can be started from seed very easily. Scatter sow the seeds in the location you want them to grow in after danger of frost has passed. You can also plant them indoors in pots 2-3 weeks before the last frost date and then transplant when they are safe. Zinnias are not frost tolerant so make sure you are paying attention to the frost date for your area.
Here in Tennessee our last frost date is usually around April 15th.
Zinnias are annuals here in Tennessee and are great for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The only problem I have had with zinnias is occasional powdery mildew but a baking soda spray should take care of that. These zinnias in the photographs were all from the self-seeding garden.
Tips for Successfully Growing Zinnias
- Choose a great full sun location. Zinnias thrive in full sun, so make sure to plant them in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Good soil can make a big differences. Zinnias prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Before planting, amend the soil with organic matter like compost or aged manure to improve soil fertility and structure. When in doubt, throw compost about!
- Zinnias can be grown from seed directly in the ground or started indoors and transplanted after the last frost. Plant the seeds 1/4 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart.
- Zinnias prefer moist soil but can tolerate drought once established. Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. When rain is lacking keep them watered but water the base of the plant to avoid fungal issues.
- Zinnias benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. Apply fertilizer according to the package instructions, usually every 4-6 weeks. If you’ve added compost to the soil you may not need to fertilize as much.
- Deadhead regularly, or pick a lot of flowers! You can encourage more blooms and prevent zinnias plant from going to seed by regularly picking or deadheading spent flowers.
- Zinnias can be susceptible to pests like aphids and diseases like powdery mildew. Monitor the plants regularly and treat any problems promptly. (See above for a way to treat powdery mildew)
At the end of the growing season allow your zinnias to go to seed then collect it. You can start those zinnia seeds next spring. Just keep in mind that your zinnias will cross pollinate which will make a mixed bag of zinnia flowers, but that may be just what you are looking for!
Finding Zinnia Seeds
You can find a variety of zinnia seed at Botanical Interests Seed Company (Affiliate) Check out the links below to visit their website. You will find all sorts of flowers, herbs, and vegetable seed.
Solar Flare Blend Zinnia Seeds – $1.89
from: Botanical Interests
Benary’s Giant Blend Zinnia seeds – $2.49
from: Botanical Interests
California Giants Zinnia Seeds – $1.89
from: Botanical Interests
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I too love zinnias. My favorite is cut and come again. They are great for flowers in the house yet the more you cut the more you get! A couple years ago I was real surprised to see hummingbirds at my zinnias I guess its the color!
Beautiful zinnias Dave. Will the baking soda solution of powdery mildew work on other flowers as well?