Home / Seed database / Zinnia
Flowers · tender annual
Zinnia from seed
Zinnia elegans
- Germination temperature
- 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C)
- Sowing depth
- ¼ in (6 mm)
- Days to germinate
- 3 to 7 days
- Light
- Cover the seed; darkness helps
- Before sowing
- Nothing needed
- Start indoors
- 4 weeks before planting out
- Plant out
- 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost
- Sow outdoors
- 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost
Your dates from your last frost Seed not coming up?
Sowing
Zinnia is quick: 3 to 5 days at 80 to 85°F, 5 to 7 days at 70 to 75°F (Johnny's). Sow indoors 4 weeks before planting out or direct after frost, covered, and sow every two weeks for continuous flowers.
Care and transplanting
Pinch the first bud for bushier plants and deadhead often. Water at the base to keep mildew off.
Problems
Damping off in cold, wet mix. Powdery mildew in humid late summer is cosmetic; give airflow. Seedlings dislike root disturbance, so sow in modules.
Saving seed
Let a flower dry fully on the plant; collect the seed. Zinnias cross freely.