All about Zinnia!
Bright and colorful zinnia in the garden
What’s good to have in the garden when the summer heat sets in and many of your veggies start to give out? Zinnia flowers! They love the heat and will fill your summer garden with bright colors and cheer all the way to Fall. Read on for best practices when sowing and maintaining your zinnia bed.
Best Time to Plant Zinnias in Houston
Zinnias thrive in heat and can be planted any time from late March to late June. In fact, you can even do succession planting, which means sowing seeds every 2-3 weeks until the end of June. So, as your early plants end their lifecycle, you’ll already have brand new plants on the way!
How to Grow Zinnias from Seed
Zinnias grow best when sown directly in the ground. Choose a sunny spot and sow your seeds ¼ inch deep and 2-3 inches apart, thinning them to 8 inches apart once they sprout. You can start seeds in grow pots, but be careful when transplanting—zinnias don’t like having their roots disturbed.
Caring for Zinnias in Houston’s Climate
Water deeply at the base of the plant twice a week, rather than frequent light watering. Avoid overhead watering to prevent powdery mildew, a common issue in humid climates like Houston. Zinnias prefer well-drained soil, and adding compost can help improve growth. A light feeding with balanced fertilizer at planting and mid-season will keep them blooming longer.
Promoting Healthy Growth
Zinnias need good air circulation to avoid fungal problems, so give them some space and remove any dead or diseased foliage. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, encourages the plant to produce more flowers. When cutting blooms for a vase, trim just above a set of leaves to promote fuller, bushier growth.
Zinnias as Cut Flowers
Zinnias are excellent cut flowers thanks to their sturdy stems and long vase life. Cut blooms when fully open and the stem feels firm. They can last a week or more indoors if you remove any leaves that will sit in water and change the water regularly. Zinnias also come in a wide range of beautiful jewel tone colors as well as softer, pastel shades, making them wonderful in floral arrangements.
Tips Specific to Houston Gardeners
To avoid powdery mildew, choose disease-resistant varieties like ‘Benary’s Giant’ or the ‘Zahara’ series. Applying mulch around the base of the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. As a bonus, zinnias attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making them a valuable addition to any garden!
