Zinnia elegans
elegant zinnia
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesAttracts HummingbirdsContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Zinnia elegans is a fast-growing warm-season annual in the daisy family, reaching 12-48 inches (30-120 cm) tall and 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) wide depending on cultivar. Stiff, upright stems carry opposite, lance-shaped to oval leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with a rough, sandpapery surface. From early summer until frost the plant produces solitary flower heads 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) across in red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white, and bicolors, in single, semi-double, or fully double forms. Each head sits on a hollow stem above the foliage and stays in bloom for one to two weeks. The species germinates within a week in warm soil and flowers about 60-70 days from sowing, so it is widely grown from direct seed. Zinnia elegans is sensitive to cold and dies with the first frost. It is prone to powdery mildew and bacterial leaf spot in humid weather and where air movement is poor, especially on crowded plantings. Repeated removal of faded heads extends flowering into fall. The cut stems last well in water, and the drying seed heads draw finches.
Native Range
Zinnia elegans is native to Mexico, where it grows in dry scrub and grassland of the central highlands. It has been bred extensively in cultivation and is now grown as a garden annual worldwide.Suggested Uses
Used in annual borders, cutting gardens, and mixed containers, and as a nectar source in pollinator plantings. Compact cultivars suit edging and pots, while tall types are grown for cut flowers. Mass plantings give summer-long color where frost-tender annuals are wanted.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, pink, orange, yellow, purple, white, and bicolorsFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Zinnia elegans grows in full sun and prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5. Seed sown directly after the soil warms past 70F (21C) germinates in 5-7 days, and plants begin flowering in 60-70 days. Even moisture at the roots supports growth, while overhead watering and crowded spacing encourage powdery mildew. Spacing of 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) between plants improves air movement and lowers disease pressure. Light feeding every few weeks sustains continuous bloom. The plants are killed by frost and complete their cycle in a single season.Pruning
Pinching the growing tips when plants reach 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) produces more branching stems and flowers. Spent heads removed regularly keep new buds forming into fall. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons