Growing Tips for Common Zinnia Varieties

Zinnias truly are some of the most easy-care and lovely flowers to grow, giving the garden an old-fashioned cottage charm. The only issue you may have is deciding upon which variety to grow — like dahlias, zinnias offer a wide range of colors, petal formations, and sizes. Try one of these for your garden; it may just start a zinnia obsession, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Common Zinnia Varieties

Many zinnias can belong to more than one category — for example, single-flowered dwarf, fully double-cut flower zinnias, or even semi-double dahlia-flowered cut flower zinnias. These amazing combinations are much of the reason why gardeners become obsessed.

Dwarf: Although zinnias come in a really wide range of plant heights, dwarf varieties are those that stay at 10-12” tall or shorter. Now, keep in mind, the shorter plant size says nothing about the size of the flower — that depends upon the more specific zinnia variety itself. Dwarf varieties are ideal for borders and tucking into containers.
- Dreamland Pink
- Crystal White
- Thumbelina

Cut Flower: Featuring taller forms with strong and sturdy stems, these zinnias are ideal for cutting and flower arranging.
- Queen Lime Orange
- Giant Purple
- Uproar Rose

Cactus Flowered: Give your garden a little extra special sauce with cactus flowered zinnias — the petals are narrow and rolled or “quilled,” and typically semi-double or fully double flowers.
- Raggedy Anne
- Giant Aztec
- Redman Super

Single Flowered: Single flowered zinnias have a center surrounded by one row of petals, giving it a daisy-like appearance
- Crystal White
- Profusion Apricot
- Raspberry Lemonade Mix

Semi-Double Flowered: Semi-double flowered zinnias sport a visible center surrounded by layers of petal rows
- Profusion Yellow
- Zahara Red
- Zahara Raspberry

Fully Double Flowered: Fully double flowered zinnias are similar to the semi-double with their multiple rows of petals, but in this case, the center of the flower is completely covered.
- Orange King
- El Dorado
- Giant Salmon Rose

Dahlia-Flowered: These intriguing blooms are double or semi-double flowers with flat petals reminiscent of another blooming favorite, the dahlia.

- Purple Prince
- Polar Bear
- Illumination

Zinnia Growing Tips

Sun: Full sun to light afternoon shade in very hot/strong sun climates
Water: Medium and regular
Soil: Average to rich, well-drained
Size: 6” T to 4’+ T
Colors: all colors except blue
Bloom time: Summer to fall
Type: Seed or transplant
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Uses: Cut flower gardens, borders, containers, mass plantings, pollinator gardens, gardens with deer
Pest/Disease issues: fungal and mildew — avoid watering on foliage to avoid