How to Grow Zinnia
'Art Deco' from Seed
Striped, splashed and flecked zinnias in cerise, scarlet, gold and cream, every bloom marked differently. A mixture for a bit of chaos in the cutting patch.
'Art Deco' is a zinnia mixture where no two flowers are the same. Some blooms are cleanly bicoloured, others are striped or flecked as though the colour has been thrown at them, in shades of cerise, scarlet, gold and cream. It is a cheerful, lively mix for the cutting patch.
Zinnias love heat and dislike having their roots disturbed, but once those two needs are met they are among the most productive cut flowers you can grow. Pinch or cut the first flower early and each plant will branch into a steady supply of stems until the weather turns.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Plant Type
Half-hardy annual
Sowing Time
Mar to Jun, modules under cover
Flowering
July to October
Position
Full sun, warm and sheltered
Spacing
25 to 30cm
Difficulty
2 out of 5, easy
Understanding the Plant
'Art Deco' is a mix of Zinnia elegans, a half-hardy annual from Mexico. Zinnias grow fastest in warm soil and warm nights, and they stall in cold, wet weather. That is why they are sown later than many annuals and planted out only when nights are mild.
The markings on each flower vary, so a bunch picked from the row is always a surprise. The flowers are loved by butterflies and bees, and they last well in water.
Pinch for more stems
Cut the first flower bud, or the growing tip, when the plant is about 20cm tall. The plant responds by branching low down, and a branched zinnia produces several times as many stems as an unpinched one.
When & How to Sow
Zinnias resent root disturbance, so sow them straight into modules rather than a seed tray. They need warmth to germinate, and they catch up quickly, so there is no benefit in sowing too early.
April is ideal
An April sowing gives plants ready to go out as the nights warm at the end of May or in June. Early sowings sit in pots and check; a June sowing gives a later flush that runs into October.
Sow into modules. Sow one or two seeds per cell, about 5mm deep, and keep at 20 to 25°C. Seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days.
Grow on warm and bright. Thin to one seedling per cell and keep in good light. Avoid overwatering, which can rot the stems.
Plant out when nights are mild. Harden off and plant out from late May to June, 25 to 30cm apart, without breaking up the root ball.
Growing On Tips
Heat and sun
Give zinnias the warmest, sunniest spot you have. They sulk in cool or shady places.
Water the soil
Water at the base, ideally in the morning. Wet leaves overnight encourage mildew.
Cut deep
Cut stems low, just above a pair of leaves. New side shoots will follow.
The wiggle test
Hold a stem 20cm below the flower and shake gently. If it stays upright it is ready to cut; if it droops, wait a day or two.
Airflow
Space plants properly so air can move between them. Crowded zinnias are prone to mildew.
Butterflies
Zinnias are a favourite with butterflies in late summer.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| White powder on leaves | Powdery mildew in damp late summer | Water the soil not the leaves, space plants well and remove affected leaves. |
| Plants stall after planting out | Planted out too early into cold soil | Wait until nights are reliably mild, usually late May or June. |
| Seedlings rot or collapse | Too wet or too cold | Keep seedlings warm and water sparingly from below. |
| Flowers drooping in the vase | Stems cut too young | Use the wiggle test before cutting. |
| Single stem, few flowers | Plant not pinched | Pinch or cut the first bloom early to make plants branch. |
When to Expect Flowers
Plants sown in April and set out as the nights warm flower from July. With regular cutting, they keep producing until the first cold nights of autumn.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sow under cover | ||||||||||||
| 🪴 Plant out | ||||||||||||
| 🌸 Flowering |
Plant Specifications
Splashed and striped zinnias for cutting
Sow into modules in spring, plant out when the nights are warm and cut early and often. Every bunch will look different.
Shop Zinnia Art Deco Seeds →