garden
Zinnia
Zinnia
Overview
Bold, bright, and impossibly cheerful, zinnias are the quintessential cut-and-come-again flower — the more you cut, the more they bloom. Native to Mexico, they come in every warm color from pure white through vivid orange, scarlet, and deep burgundy, with single, double, cactus, and pompom flower forms. Zinnias are a magnet for butterflies and one of the easiest flowers to grow from direct-sown seed.
Growing Conditions
Hardiness Zones5 — 9
Height0.8m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 7.5
Soil TypeAverage, well-drained soil; heat and drought tolerant
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | Jun — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; dislikes transplanting |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after last frost |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Apr — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; succession sow monthly |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Mar — May | Direct sow in spring |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Feb — Apr | Direct sow; also Sep for fall bloom |
Uses
Other Uses
- Premier butterfly garden annual
- Cut-and-come-again flower for abundant bouquets
- Easiest flower to direct-sow from seed
- Heat-loving annual that thrives in full sun and summer heat
