Zinnias
Overview:
Zinnias are one of the quintessential summer flowers that THRIVE in the summer heat, even here in Phoenix. They come in a rainbow of colors, from bright neons to soft blushes. Zinnias come in dwarf forms perfect for a container or border, to tall giant forms perfect for your cut flower garden. They love the dry heat that phoenix offers, you just have to make sure to water them to keep them happy.
Adventure Level
1/5
Starting seeds:
Starting zinnia seeds is relatively easy. I would strongly advise directly seeding them into the ground. If you have a bird or animal problem you can start them inside and transplant them into your beds. sow them 1/4” deep. Check out our seed starting guide for more tips and tricks.
When to plant outdoors:
Zinnias are warm-loving annuals. Plant them outdoors after your last frost. I usually start my first succession in early April. Waiting until then allows space to clear up in the fields but also lets the soil temperature rise. You can plant them earlier, but they won’t start putting on growth until the night temperatures are above 50.
Spacing:
9-12” apart
Sun:
Full sun, 6-8+ hours per day.
Water:
Zinnias like consistent moisture. Make sure they dry out a little bit in between waterings.
Flower Support:
I would advise using support if you intend to use these for cut flowers. Use Hortonova Netting or Peony Cages.
Fertilizing:
Zinnias are fed 2-3 times through the growing season with balanced granular fertilizer. I liquid feed weekly with Maxsea.
Succession plant?
Yes, I definitely recommend succession planting. I’m going to be the first to say that i’m am by no means the best at succession planting zinnias but you can plant these flowers almost all summer long. Experts say to plant them every 2 weeks for consistent harvesting but I usually get around to planting them usually once per month April through August.
Favorite Varieties:
Oklahoma Zinnias
These Zinnias definitely hold a special place in my heart. They are smaller button zinnia that are so easy to work into bouquets. Some of my favorite colors are Salmon, gold, and carmine.
Dreamland Zinnia
This is my favorite dwarf variety that I plant for my containers. They are full-sized double blooms on a dwarf compact plant. I get seeds from GEO seed co.
Benary’s Giant
These are some of the biggest zinnias on the market. They make a great choice for beginners with a big impact. I would definitely recommend providing support for this variety. Pictured salmon rose.
Queen zinnias
Queen series zinnias are some of the most uniquely colored zinnias on the market. They have a vintage blush look to them that makes them well worth to grow! Perfect for your boho late summer, early fall wedding.
Queen ‘Lime Orange’
Queen ‘Lemon Peach’
Floret zinnias are a beautiful blush zinnia. Mix of single, semi double, and double flowers. Popular variety amongst florist.
Oklahoma Carmine - Beautiful purple rose color with cute button like blooms. I love growing these for late spring and early summer cuts.
Oklahoma Salmon - Serving all the coral pink realness. These are a florist favorite, and are a perfect aditon to any arrangement.
Uproar rose is a newer zinnia to the market, but it definetly does not dissapoint. They cranked out perfetly double blooms all summer long. Flowers were uniform and consistent. We grew these in the summer of 2023 and they were a perfect for all of the barbie themed events.
Benarys Giant salmon rose is a great mix of coral and salmon toned flowers. Zinnias are on the larger side from 3-4” in diameter.
Dwarf Zinnia ‘Short stuff’ making a gorgeous presentation in the early summer container garden. We clumped the pink together for a mass display. They are perfect for a border garden or containers for a center layer or ‘filler’ layer. They get about 6-12” tall and come in colors from yellow, orange, red, purple, magenta, and pink.
