Plant Profile: Zinnia

One of the simplest flowering annuals to grow, zinnia flowers bring an absolutely explosion of color wherever they go.

Blooms lasts from late spring through to autumn, and they are a favourite with butterflies and birds, attracted to the cheery flowers. Zinnia grow quickly and reliably, and that makes them a great choice for first-time flower growers.

Sunlight: 6 hours of sun a day will keep your zinnia happy and blooming.

Watering: They can tolerate dry conditions, however will perform better with consistent moisture. Water deeply, around 2cm a week. Keep water away from the foliage to deter disease.

Soil: Although not overly fussy on their soil, they will prefer a rich, fertilise soil – so consider digging through some Cow Manure Plus or ActivGrow Soil Improver prior to planting.

Pruning: Zinnia is suitable for use a cut flower, so although it sounds a little backwards, snip out the centre flower when plants are about 40cm tall, as it encourages the plant to branch out low and produce longer stems. If you’re leaving flowers in the garden, ensure you remove spent flowers (deadhead) to encourage more blooms.

Varieties: Lilliput Mix, Isabellina, Oriole, Persian Carpet, Envy, Polar Bear, and Purple Prince to name just a few.