A wide range for cut flower production, but also suitable as a border plant. Annual. Available in many colors.
Zinnias are loved for their long, sturdy stems, vibrant colors, and long vase life. They're also very productive: the more you cut, the more the plants bloom.
For larger, more robust flowers, choose varieties like 'Benary's Giant'. For a mix of shapes and colors, choose the 'Oklahoma' series and 'Queen Lime'.
Zinnias bloom from summer until the first frost, provided you regularly cut back flowers or remove dead flowers.
Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost, or sow directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. For continuous flowering, sow at 2-3 week intervals.
Sow seeds about 0.5 cm deep and keep the soil moist until germination.
Zinnias require full sun, which produces the most productive plants with the longest, sturdiest stems.
To encourage long, straight stems, you can plant the plants closer together, about 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) apart. This also helps support the plants.
You can "top" zinnias by cutting the top off the young plant. This encourages the plant to branch out and produce more flowers. The flower stems may be slightly shorter than the original main stem.
