Zinnias add the finishing touch to an imaginative cottage garden. The lavish summer flowers with the bright colors and the stiffly upright habit act as decorative structural plants, eye-catching pot plants and magnificent fillers in the perennial border. These answers to frequently asked questions shed light on the care that annual zinnias value.

The zinnia brings color to the summer border

Plant zinnia properly

Do not plant your early or purchased zinnias in the bed before mid/end of May. A cold snap throws back the flower tremendously in growth. In full sun, prepare the soil so that it is loose and well-drained. If in doubt, work a few handfuls of sand or grit under clayey soil. This is how the planting succeeds even with an inexperienced hand:

  • Depending on the selected variety, dig spacious pits at a distance of 25-40 cm
  • Add a little compost with horn shavings (32.93€) to the excavation
  • Place a potted young plant in each planting hole, maintaining the previous planting depth
  • Press down the soil with your hands and water

For the first few days and weeks, water your zinnia regularly to encourage rooting. As a result, the water requirement is reduced to a low level.

care tips

We are always surprised at how little care the zinnia is satisfied with. How to properly address the modest demands:

  • Water adult flowers only during summer drought
  • Fertilize every 14 days from June until the end of the flowering period with compost in the bed and liquid fertilizer in the pot
  • In addition, spray the floor with nettle and comfrey manure once a month
  • Clean out wilted flower heads every few days
  • Support towering flower stalks with a stick

The zinnia species and varieties cultivated in our regions are not hardy. In late fall, pull the plants out of the ground and dispose of them in the compost.

Which location is suitable?

The zinnia requires a warm, full sun. In the absence of light or in cool temperatures, the abundance of flowers falls far short of expectations. Combine this with a well-drained, rather lean soil that likes to be sandy-loamy and not too moist.

What soil does the plant need?

Only plant the sun-loving zinnia in lean, humus-poor and well-drained soil. A moderately dry moisture level is of paramount importance, as too much moisture will quickly end flower life. For cultivation in tubs, this means that normal potting soil can be used; provided, of course, that you add sand, fine grit, lava granules (€13.99) or perlite (€37.51).

When is flowering time?

If the zinnia finds a sunny, warm and well-drained location, it produces tirelessly bright flowers from July to October. Clean the withered basket flowers consistently, because underneath the next buds are already waiting to compete with the sun.

Cut zinnia correctly

The upright flower stalks invite you to use them as vase decorations or in summer bouquets. Prune newly bloomed zinnias early in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Leave some leaves on the plant so that it can sprout again. We also recommend cutting off the withered flowers as soon as possible. In this way, the zinnia invests its floral energy in the growth of new flowers instead of wasting it on the growth of seed heads.

Pour zinnia

The water requirement of a zinnia is low. The summer flower arranges itself much better with short-term drought than with permanent wetness. Therefore, only water a well-established plant during summer drought. Experience has shown that the watering can is used less often in the bed than on potted flowers. Use normal tap water, which you put directly on the root disc.

Fertilize zinnia properly

In the bed, the summer flower is happy about a portion of compost every 14 days. Rake in the organic material superficially and water again. In addition, experienced hobby gardeners spray the soil once a month with a mixture of nettle and comfrey manure. If the zinnia thrives in a pot or window box, apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 2 weeks.

hibernate

The heat-loving zinnia already gives up at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. The sensitive summer beauty is therefore not suitable for overwintering. In late autumn, remove the root balls from the soil to dispose of them in the compost.

Propagating zinnia

For propagation, collect the 5-8 mm long seed pods in autumn before the flowers distribute them in the garden on their own. Stored dry in a screw-top jar in a cool cellar, you will have enough seeds in your hands for sowing from the end of February. Sow the seeds on peat sand or seed soil, sieve them thinly and moisten with a fine spray. Set up in a heated indoor greenhouse, a constant temperature of 18-22 degrees Celsius is required for germination. Prick out the strongest seedlings with at least 2 pairs of leaves in individual pots. Until the planting season begins in mid/late May, keep the soil slightly moist on a sunny, warm window seat.

Zinnia in pot

In the pot, the zinnia demands just as little from its gardener as in the bed. Be especially careful not to let the flower get its feet wet. An airy, light substrate with potsherds as drainage effectively prevents waterlogging. Water only when the soil has dried well. Be more generous in terms of nutrient supply. From June to October give a liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks or in June and August give a slow release fertilizer in the form of sticks. Don't forget to clean up the withered flowers. This prudence is rewarded with a well-groomed appearance and a continuous abundance of flowers.

Is zinnia poisonous?

The zinnia is assigned to the slightly poisonous ornamental plants. The plant sap contains various alkaloids and other substances that can trigger skin allergies on contact. Therefore, wear protective gloves for all work involving your summer flowers.

Beautiful varieties

  • Cherry Red: Award-winning strain that features double cherry-red flowers around a yellow center; 30-40cm
  • Envy: A magnificent zinnia elegans with dahlia-like flowers that shine bright yellow; 70-90cm
  • Crystal White: The white-yellow flowers are reminiscent of daisies and bloom from June until the first frost; 45-50cm
  • Scarlet Flame: The 13 cm large, rich red flower balls attract everyone's attention in beds and pots; 90-100cm
  • Oklahoma Pink: A pink flowering zinnia with a stiff upright habit; very beautiful cut flower with a height of 70 cm
  • Senorita Aztec: Beautiful cactus zinnia with ruffled and pointed petals in red; 80-100cm

Category:

Vegetable garden