Zinnias enchant flower beds and window boxes with their compact basket-like flowers, which range in color from white to pink, yellow, orange, red and purple to two-tone patterned specimens. Unfortunately, the sun-loving flowering plants are very sensitive to frost and the first ground frosts cause the plants to die. Many garden lovers therefore ask themselves whether particularly beautiful zinnias could also be overwintered.
Zinnias are not frost hardy
The hibernation
In its homeland, which is in the warm regions of South America, the zinnia thrives as a perennial, herbaceous plant. You can take advantage of this property and continue caring for the zinnia indoors during the winter.
Dig up the perennials before the first night frosts and place them in a pot filled with commercial potting soil. The place for hibernation must be frost-free, but cool and bright. Water the zinnia very sparingly during the dormant period. However, the root ball must not dry out completely.
tips
Zinnias are avoided by nematodes. They are therefore suitable as a biological pest control in the vegetable patch.