632 gardener saves
Zinnia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 17 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Zinnia varieties
Of 17 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedZinnia Raggedy Ann
Zinnia elegans 'Raggedy Ann'
#2 most savedGiant Violet Queen Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Giant Violet Queen'
#3 most savedZinnia Mix
Zinnia x hybrida 'Mix'
Profusion Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Profusion'
Benary's Giant Wine Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Wine'
Benary's Giant Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Benary'
Queen Red Lime Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Queen Red Lime'
Queen Lemon Peach Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lemon Peach'
Benary's Giant Lime Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Lime'
Benary's Giant Orange Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Benarys Giant Orange'
Benary's Giant Coral Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Coral'
Queen Lime Orange Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime Orange'
Browse all 17 Zinnia varieties →
How to grow Zinnia
What the Zinnia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 17 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Zinnia year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Sow seeds or transplant seedlings after the danger of frost has passed
- DeadheadJune–September100% of varieties
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage new buds
- FertilizeMay–August76% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks for continuous bloom
- HarvestJune–September71% of varieties
Cut stems when flowers are fully open for best vase life
- Check for PestsJune–August65% of varieties
Monitor for powdery mildew, especially during humid periods
- Pinch TipsMay and June41% of varieties
Pinch central stem when young (8-12 inches) to promote branching
Do
- Apply a balanced fertilizer monthly
- Water deeply once a week 🌱
- Water consistently to keep soil evenly moist 🌱
- Deadhead regularly for prolonged flowering
- Deadhead to prolong flowering 🌸
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t forget to mulch to retain soil moisture
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Zinnia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and stippled leaves | Increase humidity and use miticide if necessary |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Japanese beetles | Chewed leaves and flowers | Handpick or apply appropriate organic insecticide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Root Rot | Wilting and brown roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Zinnia
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch stem cuttings in late summer
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist potting mix and keep humid for 6 weeks
Seed
- Tuck seeds ¼ inch deep in moist soil (2 weeks)
- Keep soil warm and moist for germination
- Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart
Zinnia questions
How many types of Zinnia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 17 distinct Zinnia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 632 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Zinnia grow in?
Across its varieties, Zinnia covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Zinnia bloom?
Most Zinnia varieties bloom in summer to frost, mid-summer, summer to frost. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Zinnia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Zinnia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
