Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, zinnias are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing zinnias.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Do Zinnias Belong To?
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) belong to the Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy family.
Some of their relatives include lettuce, feverfew, and dahlias.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Zinnias?
The minimum container depth recommended for zinnias is 12 inches.
The container should also be at least 12 inches wide.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Zinnias?
Some of zinnias' best companions are as follows:
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Zinnias?
Zinnias are not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with zinnias are as follows:
What Soil Conditions Do Zinnias Need?
Zinnias prefer rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
How Long Do Zinnias Take to Germinate?
Zinnias take 4-8 days to germinate at a temperature of 70-80°F.
How Much Sun Do Zinnias Need?
In most climates, zinnias need full sun.
However, in hot climates or seasons, they may tolerate some shade such as dappled shade or part shade.
Sun recommendations vary by region. Zinnias grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need some shade.
How Much Water Do Zinnias Need?
Zinnias need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Zinnias?
Zinnias grow fastest in temperatures of 60-85°F.
This is their ideal temperature range. Although they will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some zinnia varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Do Zinnias Get?
The average height of zinnias is 1-4 feet.
Are Zinnias Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Most zinnias are annual, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year.
However, a few varieties are perennial, meaning that they live for longer than a couple years.
How Do Zinnias Reproduce?
Zinnias reproduce by seed.
How Many Zinnias Are Produced Per Plant?
For zinnias, how many are produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most zinnias produce 1 large flower per seed.
Can Zinnias Be Ingested?
Zinnias flowers, leaves, stems, and roots are edible.
Zinnias flowers and leaves have antibacterial and liver-supportive properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea (infusions) and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a zinnia tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting zinnia flowers or leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of zinnias rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for zinnias here!
Zinnias are featured in these Plant to Plate articles: