Germination: 3 - 7 days at 21° C.

Indoors: Zinnias are warm-climate plants that germinate best when soil and air temperatures are warm. In short-season climates it is best to sow zinnias indoors, which is easy to do, 4 - 6 weeks before safe planting out time (first week of June in southern Manitoba).

Zinnias do not like to be handled during transplanting and should, therefore, be sown directly to small, plantable starter pots that will go into the ground with the plant. Sow 1 - 2 seeds per pot.

We recommend applying a kelp supplement such as Sea Magic starting at the time of sowing, then weekly through the growing season. A transplant fertilizer such as Evolve Seedling starter can be alternated with the kelp on a bi-weekly basis once the second set of true leaves have emerged.

Growing in Containers: Well suited to larger pots, 30 cm (12") and up.

Fertilizing (Containers): Feed with a bloom-oriented organic fertilizer such as Evolve Fish Bloom 2-3-1, applying weekly through the growing season for maximum plant vigour. 

Watering (Containers): Zinnias are more drought-resistant than many annual flowers, but benefit from deep watering every 4  - 6 days when grown in containers (of course, if plants look drought-stressed, water sooner).  

Growing in Mixed Planters: Well suited to larger mixed planters. 

Fertilizing (Garden): Amend garden soil with compost annually. No further fertilizer required.

Watering (Garden): Water regularly to establish. Water mature plants weekly during hot weather. 

Beneficials Attracted to this Plant: Many butterflies

Suitability for Indoors: Not suited for indoors.