How to Grow Zinnias

No flowers are easier to grow than zinnias - just plant, stand back and watch them grow into cheerful, brilliantly colored blooms perfect for cutting. The red and bright-pink varieties are especially attractive to butterflies.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Seeds
• Bypass Pruners
• Gift Bags
• Fertilizers
• Garden Trowels
• Plants
• Gift Bows
• Mulch
• Wrapping Paper
• Tissue paper
• Compost Makers
• Garden Spades
• Gift Ribbons

1. Buy healthy, green plants with no signs of wilting or disease. Plants should be stocky, with plenty of leaves. It's actually a plus if they don't have any flowers on them - they'll divert their early energy into root development rather than flowering.

2. 

   Choose a site in full sun, although zinnias usually appreciate a little afternoon shade in especially hot regions. Zinnias like rich, well-drained soil.

3. Plant seedlings or seeds in spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Seeds can be sown directly in the soil, 1/4 inch deep and a few inches apart. Thin to 6 to 12 inches, depending on the variety's mature height. Seedlings, which will produce earlier blooms, should also be spaced 6 to 12 inches apart, again depending on their mature height.

4. 

   Keep soil somewhat moist. Mulching is a good idea. Zinnias can survive in soil that's on the dry side but will wilt in very dry conditions.

5. Trim faded flowers, or cut flowers often for bouquets, to promote more and longer blooming.

6. Fertilize every four to six weeks, or work in a slow-release fertilizer (or plenty of compost) at planting time.

7. Tear out and discard plants in fall, after frost fells them.

Tips & Warnings

• Zinnias come in a wide array of colors, including cream, yellow, orange and red. Some are bicolored and streaked, whereas others sport interesting speckles. Zinnias grow 6 to 36 inches high, depending on the variety.

• Check out narrow-leaf zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia), which is rapidly gaining popularity due to its supereasy care and low, sprawling habit. It's terrific as a flowering ground cover or in pots and baskets, and does especially well in hot conditions.

• Zinnias are prone to powdery mildew in all but the most arid regions of the country. Minimize problems by planting zinnias where they will get plenty of sun. If powdery mildew is a problem with your zinnias year after year, check your garden center shelves for an appropriate fungicide, which must be applied in early spring before powdery mildew appears.

• Zinnias don't thrive in very alkaline soils (those with a high pH).