

How to Grow Zinnias
If you're looking for a prolific annual flower for gardens and bouquets in a wide range of colors, try zinnias. The plants range from low growing, to tall and statuesque. Flowers come in all the colors of the rainbow depending on the variety. Group them in a flower or vegetable garden for color and to attract bees and butterflies.
When & Where to Plant Zinnias
Light: Zinnias grow and flower best in full sun. They can flower in part shade, especially in warmer climates with afternoon shade, but they may be more susceptible to disease and have fewer flowers.
Soil: Zinnias grow best on fertile, well-drained soils high in organic matter. Well-drained soil is important because zinnia seedlings can be prone to rotting in cool, wet soils.
Spacing: Plant zinnia seeds a few inches apart in rows or clumps. Thin to 8 to 18 inches apart, depending upon the variety, once the plant has grown four leaves.
Planting: Plant zinnias in spring after all danger of frost has passed, around the same time you'd plant tomatoes. Zinnias are easy to grow directly-seeded into the garden. For sooner blooms, start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date.


How to Grow Zinnias Throughout the Season
Growth Habit: Zinnias come in a wide variety of plant sizes. Some are low-growing. 1-foot tall plants with a mounding habit. Others are 3-foot tall plants with big flowers. Plant the right variety for your usage and that your space allows. Mounding varieties have smaller flowers and produce more ornamental looking plants. Taller varieties are often used for cutting and are best grown in rows or clumps for a better visual effect.
Staking: These flowers have sturdy stems, so do not need staking.
Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best. This is especially true of young plants. Water deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Don't overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils. Once established, zinnias a relatively drought tolerant.
Fertilizing: Amend the soil before planting zinnias with compost. When flowers start to form, side dress with an organic 5-5-5 fertilizer to get more and bigger blossoms.
Mulching: Mulch zinnias once they are established with a 2 inch layer of straw or bark mulch. This will help preserve soil moisture and prevent weed growth.
Trimming & Pruning: Deadhead (trim) spent flowers regularly to promote more flowering and to keep the plant tidy. To create bushier plants on tall varieties, pinch the growth tip of the plant when young. This will stimulate more side branching, a shorter plant, and more flowers. However, it may delay flowering, especially in cool summer areas.


Zinnias: End of Season Care
Dividing & Transplanting: Zinnias are annual flowers so don't need dividing. However, they can be finicky about being transplanted. If growing them indoors for transplanting, use larger peat or plastic pots so you don't have to transplant more than once. Try not to disturb the roots when moving the plants.
Pests & Disease: The biggest pests of zinnias are powdery mildew disease and Japanese beetles. Powdery mildew disease is especially prevalent in humid areas of the country in late summer. A white film develops on the leaves. Eventually the leaves turn yellow and drop. The whole plant can quickly get infected making it look messy and reducing its overall flowering. To prevent powdery mildew, space plants further apart to increase air flow, grow disease-resistant varieties, and apply preventative sprays early in the season. Neem oil and Serenade (Bacillus subtilis) are two organic sprays that work well to prevent the spread of powdery mildew. You can make your own organic spray by adding 1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 tablespoon of horticultural oil in 1 gallon of water. Aphids also can attack zinnia leaves causing them to curl and yellow. Knock aphids off zinnia leaves with a strong spray of water from a hose.
Japanese beetles love zinnias and are often found feeding and shredding the leaves. To control Japanese beetles, apply beneficial nematodes or milky spore powder in the early summer and fall to kill the c-shaped, white grubs in the soil. These are the larvae of the adult beetles. Use beneficial nematodes in colder areas. To reduce the adult beetle population in summer, set out Japanese beetle traps at least 200 feet away from your garden in a perimeter around your property. In this way, the flying beetles will find the traps before they find your plants. You can also handpick the adults in the morning while they are sluggish and drop them in a pail of soapy water.
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Giant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these pretty in pink blooms add irresistible beauty to your garden. Rose Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on full...
Learn MoreRose Giant Cactus Zinnia SeedsAs low as $14.95Per 1/4 PoundGiant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these pretty in pink blooms add irresistible beauty to your garden. Rose Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully double flowers that can reach 4-5 inches across, with flowers atop sturdy stems. Like all Zinnias, they are easy to grow in any sunny spot and highly attractive to pollinators. These eye-catching blooms are must-haves for cut flower gardens. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Zinnia elegans)Giant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these bright-white blooms add star quality to any planting. White Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully doubl...
Learn MoreWhite Giant Cactus Zinnia SeedsAs low as $14.95Per 1/4 PoundGiant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these bright-white blooms add star quality to any planting. White Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully double flowers that can reach 4-5 inches across, with flowers atop sturdy stems. Like all Zinnias, they are easy to grow in any sunny spot and highly attractive to pollinators. These eye-catching blooms are must-haves for cut flower gardens. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Zinnia elegans)Giant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these cheerful yellow blooms will bring sunshine into your garden. Yellow Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on ful...
Learn MoreYellow Giant Cactus Zinnia SeedsAs low as $14.95Per 1/4 PoundGiant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these cheerful yellow blooms will bring sunshine into your garden. Yellow Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully double flowers that can reach 4-5 inches across, with flowers atop sturdy stems. Like all Zinnias, they are easy to grow in any sunny spot and highly attractive to pollinators. These eye-catching blooms are must-haves for cut flower gardens. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Zinnia elegans)Giant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these vivid red blooms will bring passion to your planting. Red Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully double ...
Learn MoreRed Giant Cactus Zinnia SeedsAs low as $14.95Per 1/4 PoundGiant Cactus Zinnias are a highly sought-after variety, and these vivid red blooms will bring passion to your planting. Red Giant Cactus Zinnias feature spiky petals on fully double flowers that can reach 4-5 inches across, with flowers atop sturdy stems. Like all Zinnias, they are easy to grow in any sunny spot and highly attractive to pollinators. These eye-catching blooms are must-haves for cut flower gardens. Our seeds are non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free, and guaranteed to grow. Annual. (Zinnia elegans)A classic Zinnia takes on a regal red-violet hue as the stunning ‘Violet Queen’ Zinnia. This attractive heirloom cultivar is perfect for cut flower gardens, beginning gar...
Learn MoreZinnia Seeds Violet QueenAs low as $14.95Per 1/4 PoundA classic Zinnia takes on a regal red-violet hue as the stunning ‘Violet Queen’ Zinnia. This attractive heirloom cultivar is perfect for cut flower gardens, beginning gardeners, and pollinator gardens. Bees and butterflies will love the summer-long blooms too. Annual. All of the seed we offer at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. (Zinnia elegans)Embrace the beauty of nature with our Find Your Zen Zinnia Seed Collection. A high-energy color palette of vibrant chartreuse, purple, orange, and white flowers bloom summer to fall....
Learn MoreFind Your Zen Zinnia Seed Collection Zinnia Zinnia elegans$49.95Per 4 x 1/4 LB BagsEmbrace the beauty of nature with our Find Your Zen Zinnia Seed Collection. A high-energy color palette of vibrant chartreuse, purple, orange, and white flowers bloom summer to fall. Tall and elegant Zinnias are some of the easiest flowers to grow, deer resistant, and make excellent cut flowers. Enjoy watching bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flutter from flower to flower. All of our seed is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annuals. (Zinnia elegans)Blooming from mid-summer until frost, Zinnias are some of the easiest wildflowers to grow, adding their bright, cheerful color to any sunny spot with enthusiasm. These beloved annua...
Learn MoreZinnia Seeds Zinnia Zinnia elegansAs low as $14.95Per 1/4 PoundBlooming from mid-summer until frost, Zinnias are some of the easiest wildflowers to grow, adding their bright, cheerful color to any sunny spot with enthusiasm. These beloved annuals are deer resistant, long blooming and very prolific - the more you cut for bouquets, the more flowers your plants will produce. Best of all, they are a monarch butterfly magnet! All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow.Zinnia Orange King is a rich, saturated orange hue with hints of gold and scarlet. This heirloom Zinnia is a long-blooming variety with brightly colored flowers on long, sturdy stems...
Learn MoreZinnia Seeds Orange King Zinnia Seeds Orange King Zinnia elegans Orange KingAs low as $12.95Per 1/4 PoundZinnia Orange King is a rich, saturated orange hue with hints of gold and scarlet. This heirloom Zinnia is a long-blooming variety with brightly colored flowers on long, sturdy stems, complemented by deep green foliage. With their bright beckoning blooms, Zinnias attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial pollinators from summer to frost. Zinnias are deer resistant, and great for cut flowers, too. All of the seed we carry at American Meadows is non-GMO, neonicotinoid-free and guaranteed to grow. Annual.