Zinnia plants are started from seeds. It takes air and soil of more than 70 F to germinate well, so wait until spring is firmly in place before planting zinnia seeds. Poke seeds into the soil about one-half inch (1 cm) deep and 3 inches (8 cm) apart. Yes, you can move them after mid-May. Too much water, on the other hand, will risk one of the only diseases zinnias are susceptible to mildew. Then thin out the others. True Leaves on a Seedling. Don't forget to water them generously when you do it. If you're interested in gardening as a hobby, zinnias are a fun addition to any garden. Once the soil is warmed enough for zinnias, you can plant the … Thin to 8 to 18 inches apart, depending upon the variety, once the plant has grown four leaves. Don’t let the seedlings get too big, as more leaves will form, which can cause crowding. If all the seedlings look healthy, then cut the smallest ones off at the base. Thin the seedlings to spacing of 6 to 18 inches (depending on variety) by snipping at the soil line with scissors. These leaves … To lower pH levels, opt for acidic materials such as pine needles and peat moss. Since it’s so easy to collect seeds from zinnia plants, try sticking with heirloom varieties that will produce reliable replicas year after year. Sow Zinnias seeds 1/4 inch deep. You still have a choice between starting zinnia seeds indoors or sowing seeds directly outdoors. In fact, the most difficult part is in waiting for the flowers to dry out! Is this true? Cut flower off of plant. Once they sprout, thin them carefully to encourage the strongest to thrive. Start seeds indoors in individual containers, set out purchased plants, or direct-sow into warm soil. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Learn how to plant zinnia seeds for the best return and make a major impact on your garden or landscape this year. Give them sunshine and water and you’ll have seedlings popping up in 4 to 7 days. If you choose to grow zinnias from seeds, there are many great seed resources out there. It's a good idea to wait a few days or a few weeks after the last predicted frost date. Thanks for watching! Zinnia varieties that grow more than 24 inches (60) cm) tall require 18 inches (45 cm) between plants. Once the seeds germinate keep them weed free and moist. You can plant zinnia seeds yourself or you can buy zinnia plants in a pack from your local plant nursery or a garden center. Monitor the growth of the seedlings closely. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Check your local frost dates. I've been told by a well-meaning neighbor to snip off the first bud on my zinnias so they will branch out. Still, there are lots of options when deciding which zinnias to plant. Weather is unpredictable and there's always a chance the forecast could be wrong. How to plant zinnias Zinnias can be sown indoors from February until April, or sown outdoors directly into the soil in May. Zinnia ‘Purple Prince’ ‘Purple Prince’ is a very tall-growing zinnia, bearing striking double flowers in … If you want to encourage tall zinnias, stake the largest so they don’t flop over. Zinnias like well-fed soil, so some compost worked into the ground early in the season will give the soil an edge before it’s time to get the zinnia seeds or plants in the ground. Frost dates are the dates where frost can be expected overnight or in the ... 2. (Tip: Pulling out seedlings can disturb the roots of those left behind.) How to Plant Zinnias. The illustration makes more attractive and easy to. With broad blossoms, bright colors, and next to nothing to worry about ruining your tending efforts, zinnias are some of the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow. Heavy humidity might be your only obstacle to constant zinnias all summer long. See your local frost dates. Keep water to about an inch a week, from all sources. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Stop deadheading zinnias at the end of the summer to allow the flowers to develop seeds. Thin to 12 inches (30 cm) apart in all directions for dwarf varieties. Zinnias germinate in 5 to 7 days. How to save zinnia seeds. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. They can be sown in a container where it will grow or out in the ground. When the seedlings are 6 inches tall, remove the two weakest plants from each group of three. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Fill up your peat pots or planting cells with the potting mix. Considering the height, color, and shape combinations, there are dozens and dozens of zinnia varieties to choose from. Zinnias require a lot of sun to thrive. Thin the seedlings when they are 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) tall. Find a sunny location. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. When planting zinnias, choose an … Space 25-30cm (10-12″) between plants. Also, practice deadheading by removing faded flowers that encourage more blooms. Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit; Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula; Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F Subscribe for more gardening videos! Zinnia may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden after frost, or from potted plants. You can look local frost dates up online. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 16,118 times. If you don't want to alter your soil's pH, plant your zinnias in a pot or raised gardening bed with potting soil that has the right pH level. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. “Harvesting” zinnias as cut flowers will also encourage full growth, telling the zinnia to keep producing blooms until some can go to seed. Plant them about 1/4” right in the ground, spaced as much as your chosen variety needs, anywhere from a couple of inches to a couple of feet. Last Updated: April 8, 2019 {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Plant-Zinnias-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Zinnias-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Plant-Zinnias-Step-1.jpg\/aid8890264-v4-728px-Plant-Zinnias-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"