Zinnia Elegans Dahlia-Flowered Envy

Grow low-maintenance zinnias and add a long-lasting pop of color to your garden during even the hottest months of the year. Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators are drawn to these vibrant flowers. Zinnias make excellent cut flowers, and come in varied sizes, colors, and textures. 

Direct sow zinnia seeds outdoors where they are to grow from April to May once the soil has warmed. Choose a position in full sun on moist, well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 3mm in drills spaced 30cm apart. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes around 7 days. 

You can also sow indoors from March to April at a temperature of 15-25C. After sowing, keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged and do not exclude light as this helps germination. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions. When zinnia plants are well grown and all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting outdoors.

Read more frequently asked questions about growing Zinnias from seed.