Zinnias are known for their beautiful blooms, available in every color across the rainbow. They grow quickly and flower heavily, requiring very little time and attention, making them the perfect addition to most gardens. The vibrant flowers are ideal for adding a pop of color to your yard, while the saucer-shaped blooms and thick layers of petals add texture and depth to your space.

Zinnias are annuals, so they grow for one season, producing beautiful flowers and plenty of seeds to use next year. Since they are only around for a summer garden unless you replant them, you can switch up the variety of zinnia you have every year!

With 17 species and a long list of varieties, you might be wondering which zinnias you should plant in your yard. Learn about some of the beautiful options so you can get planting!

General Zinnia Care Tips

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You can grow zinnias from seeds or find seedlings ready for planting in a garden center. Plant outdoors only after the last predicted frost has passed. Provide well-draining soil mixed with compost. Place the plants 6 to 18 inches apart depending on how large the variety grows, in a location with full sun (more than six hours per day).

Though zinnias are drought-tolerant, they require regular watering to produce those beautiful blooms. Water once or twice a week when the top inch of soil is dry. Be sure not to soak the plants as overwatering results in root rot. Also, deadhead regularly to encourage new bloom development.

Fun Fact: Though they have little flavor, zinnias are edible. They are ideal for adding color and texture to your salad or tablescape, just as they do in your garden!

Envy

Hardy in zones 9a to 11, zinnia 'Envy' grow between 18 to 24 inches in height and 12 to 15 inches in spread. The plant has showy, 3 to 4-inch wide, vibrant chartreuse-green flowers that bloom from late spring through fall.

It's also attractive to pollinators such as bees, birds, and butterflies. The plants are resistant to deer, which makes them ideal for planting in a vegetable garden. Plant in a large container with plenty of drainage or throughout your garden to add height and texture.

Early Wonder

Zinnia elegans ‘Early Wonder’ is a mix of single (single row of petals) and semi-double (numerous rows of petals) flowers. Colors include shades of pink, orange, and cream, ideal for a summer garden.

The flowers grow up to 30 inches high and are ideal for pollinator gardens as they attract bees and butterflies. 'Early Wonder' does well in garden borders, beds, and containers.

Zinderella

Zinnia 'Zinderella' is available in peach or purple, with different hues of each. 'Zinderella Peach' grows between 24 to 30 inches tall with an 18 inch spread, while 'Zinderella Purple' reaches 18 to 24 inches in height and spread.

Blooms are between 1 to 3 inches wide with a mix of single and semi-double petals, creating texture and a frilly shape, accented by a darker center that resembles a pom pom.

Pro Tip: 'Zinnia Peach' is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant!

Pop Art White and Red

Zinnia 'Pop Art White and Red' grows into a rounded, compact mound. It boasts unique bicolor blooms that are around 2 to 3 inches in diameter, splashed with red and white. Because of this, each bloom has a unique pattern, perfect for lining garden borders for visual interest or adding to a bouquet.

The plants grow to a height of 18 to 24 inches with a spread of 8 to 12 inches. 'Pop Art White and Red' is particularly attractive to butterflies. Plant them in an area with fun sun and slightly acidic soil.

Purple Prince

Zinnia 'Purple Prince' is a rich wine-purple flower with an entrancing bright green center that grows from summer through fall. The blooms have semi-double petals, creating a very full, dahlia-like shape.

Reaching 36 to 48 inches in height and 12 inches in spread, 'Purple Prince' is best planted with tall ornamental grasses or other tall wildflowers. If you plant in containers or with low-growing plants, the 'Purple Prince' will be the star of the show. It is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while being resistant to deer.

California Giant

Zinnia 'California Giant' is known for its height and staggering blooms. The plant reaches 24 to 50 inches in height with flowers about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Blooming from spring through fall, the plant produces single, semi-double, and double flowers for plenty of depth and texture. Colors include shades of yellow, pink, and green. The flowers grow from thick stems with vibrant green foliage, adding a beautiful contrast to the colorful blooms.

Because the blooms are so big, this variety is perfect for cut flowers and bouquets, though they are also stunning beneath windows and at the back of the garden.

Swizzle

Zinnia elegans 'Swizzle' comes in two bicolor varieties: 'Swizzle Scarlet and Yellow' and 'Swizzle Cherry and Ivory.' Both varieties grow between 10 to 12 inches in height and 6 to 8 inches in spread, making them ideal for container gardens or garden beds. The blooms themselves are about 3 to 4 inches, so you can easily see the unique colors and layers of petals. Beautiful in the garden or cut and added to bouquets, the 'Swizzle' varieties are sure to stun.

Fun Fact: Try planting these cultivars in xeriscapes!

A Thousand Zinnias

You can plant just one of these varieties in your yard, or you can plant all of the different types, enjoying a sea of beautiful zinnias. The annuals require very little attention with a big payoff. The beautiful flowers sit atop an erect stem, so they are easy to cut and add to bouquets, bringing vibrant colors indoors as well.

Do you know of any other varieties of zinnias? Share in the comments below!