Zinnia

Zinnia elegans · Flower

Quick answer: Water: Once a week, deeply (estimated); about 1 in per week, at the soil. Light: Full sun, 6–8 hours a day. Soil: Well-drained, average fertility, pH 6.0–7.0 (estimated). Pets: The ASPCA lists zinnia as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Eating a lot of any plant can still upset the stomach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

One of the easiest summer flowers to grow from seed. It loves heat, blooms in almost every color and makes long-lasting cut flowers. The more you cut, the more it flowers, right up to the first frost.

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun, 6–8 hours a day

Water

About 1 in per week, at the soil

Soil

Well-drained, average fertility, pH 6.0–7.0 (estimated)

Temperature

Best 70–90 °F (estimated); killed by frost

Spacing

6–18 in apart, by variety size

Container

At least 8 in deep, 1 gallon per plant

Bloom

60–70 days after sowing until frost (estimated)

Lifespan

Annual

When?

Sow outdoors after your last frost, once the soil is above 60 °F, or start indoors 4 weeks earlier. Sow again every 2–3 weeks until midsummer for a longer show. In mild areas this is usually May; in colder areas late May to June (estimated).

Step by step

1. Sow seeds 1/4 in deep; in warm soil they sprout in 5–7 days (estimated).
2. Thin seedlings to their final spacing once they are 3 in tall.
3. Pinch out the top when plants reach 8–12 in for bushier growth.
4. Water at soil level in the morning; wet leaves invite mildew.
5. A light feed once a month is plenty; rich soil gives leaves, not flowers.
6. Cut flowers often and remove faded ones to keep new blooms coming.

Common problems

Pets

The ASPCA lists zinnia as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Eating a lot of any plant can still upset the stomach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

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