Zinnia care guide
Zinnia
Also known as: Common zinnia, Youth-and-age
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Zinnia
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 3 days
- Water the base thoroughly once the topsoil is dry, as a guide; wetting the leaves and flowers invites disease.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 4 days
- It keeps flowering in fall, but with slower drying wait a day or two after the soil dries, as a rough guide.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- Generally an annual killed by frost; a plant that survives into winter gets sparing water a few days after the soil dries.
Light and placement for Zinnia
Full sun and good airflow outdoors is the guide; it takes heat well, but humidity brings powdery mildew and leaf spots, so a spot under the eaves suits long rainy spells.
Overwintering Zinnia
Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above
Cold-tender and usually treated as an annual that ends before frost; save seed and sow again around May the next year, as a guide.
Fertilizing and repotting Zinnia
Fertilizer
Mix in slow-release fertilizer at planting and give liquid feed about every one to two weeks while flowering; when feed runs out the flowers shrink.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Zinnia
- Water on the leaves leads to powdery mildew turning them white.
- In poorly draining soil the roots rot and the lower leaves die off.
- Spent flowers left on the plant tire it and flowering drops.
Tips for growing Zinnia
- Pinching the tip at six to eight true leaves gives more branches and more flowers.
- Cutting back just below spent blooms keeps it flowering into fall.
- Dwarf types suit pots and tall types suit cutting, so choose by use.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
