Growing Sanvitalia

Sanvitalia is known as creeping zinnia or golden stars and grows as an annual ground cover and ornamental container plant. The bright-yellow or orange daisylike flowers with dark button centers resemble zinnias, but the plant is a member of the Asteraceae family, like the sunflower. Flowering from early summer until the first frost, sanvitalia grows less than 1 foot high with a spread that reaches 2 1/2 feet. Drought and poor soil tolerant, sanvitalia thrives in hot, sunny weather.

Things You'll Need

• Seeds
• Organic material-grass clippings or dried leaves
• Clean sand
• Shovel
• Garden Clippers

Instructions

1. Prepare the planting site by placing 2 to 3 inches of organic material on top of the soil’s surface. Mix and incorporated the material into the soil with a shovel to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Supplementing the planting soil increases drainage and fertility.

2. Sow the sanvitalia directly onto the prepared soil surface after the threat of frost passes and the soil begins warming. Do not cover the seeds with soil because they require light to germinate. The seeds germinate in 10 to 14 days when the temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, longer if temperatures are cooler. Space the seeds or seedlings 6 to 8 inches apart.

3. Water the germinating seeds and seedlings keeping the soil moist, but never soggy. Maintain soil moisture while the seeds germinate and the seedlings grow. Once the plant is established, sanvitalia prefers growing in drier soil.

4. Deadheading spent flowers with garden clippers encourages continuous blooming.

Tips & Warnings

• For clay-based soils, use a shovel to mix clean sand with the soil in the same manner as incorporating organic material. Start with 1 to 2 inches of sand on the surface and mix it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. The addition of sand helps drainage and warms the soil. oils, use a shovel to mix clean sand with the soil, in the same manner as incorporating organic material. Start with one to two inches of sand on the surface and mix to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. The addition of sand will help drainage and warm the soil.

• Sanvitalia seedlings do not transplant well. Sow the seeds directly into the garden or container, rather than starting them indoors.

References

• Cornell University: Sanvitalia Growing Guide
• Learn 2 Grow: Sanvitalia Procumbens
• Plant Biology: Guide to Growing Creeping Zinnia - Sanvitalia