Zinnia Zinnia elegans
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) is an annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It grows 40–90 cm (16–35 in) tall and 25–45 cm (10–18 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 3 °C (37 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Zinnia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Zinnia at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 40–90 cm (16–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 25–45 cm (10–18 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About 3 °C (37 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–10 weeks after planting, for 10–16 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 70 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Zinnia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Zinnia is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Zinnia
Good neighbours
- good With Strawberry: Pollinator-attracting flowers can increase insect visits for insect-pollinated crops nearby. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew spreads between cucurbits in warm, dry weather. Evidence C
See Zinnia in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (12 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (24 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (20 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (10 plants)
Questions about Zinnia
- How far apart should I plant Zinnia?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–45 cm (10–18 in).
- Does Zinnia need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Zinnia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Zinnia?
- It tolerates about 3 °C (37 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Zinnia flower?
- About 7–10 weeks after planting, for 10–16 weeks.
- Is Zinnia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Zinnia is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Zinnia?
- Pollinator-attracting flowers can increase insect visits for insect-pollinated crops nearby.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Prone to powdery mildew in humid weather.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus
- German chamomile Matricaria chamomilla