Perfect for beginner gardeners, zinnia flowers are a colorful and long lasting addition to your flower garden. When you learn how easy it is to grow these plants, you’ll instantly want to add this popular annual to sunny areas that benefit from their perky blooms.
They simply need full sun, warmth, and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Zinnias have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem. The most common zinnia is “dahlia-flowered” and grows up to three feet. Other types are “cactus-flowered.” Use zinnias in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are also suitable for edging, window boxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets. Here is all you need to know about growing beautiful zinnias in your garden!
Planting
Zinnia flowers are planted from seeds. Seeds of zinnia flowers should be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. In warmer areas with long growing seasons, sow zinnia seeds directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. In colder regions with shorter growing seasons, sow seeds indoors about 4 to 5 weeks before the last average frost.
Location
Full sun is essential with a minimum daylight temperature of 60 degrees F when planting zinnia flowers. Just cover zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) between plants.
Soil
Zinnias are adaptable but prefer fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, for young plants. If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly.
Watering
You should water zinnias at the base of the plant. A soaker hose is ideal for keeping foliage and petals dry while providing much needed irrigation. The best is to water in the early morning, allowing the foliage and flowers ample time to dry off before nightfall.
Deadheading
Regularly deadhead or remove old flowers to keep plants attractive and encourage more blooms. Clipping the plant back often results in more abundant blooms. In addition, when learning how to grow zinnia, remember that pinching back results in a bushier and more attractive plant.
Pests
Zinnias can get bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. Minimize wetting of foliage to avoid disease. Caterpillars, mealy bugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Avoid spraying and tolerate some leaf damage unless the situation is uncontrolled.
All You Need To Know About Growing Beautiful Zinnias
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