Growing zinnias: from seed to harvest
Sow zinnias right after last frost. Cut often, the more you pick, the more they bloom.
Planting dates for zinnias by zone
| Zone | Start seeds indoors | Sow or transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | not needed | May 22 | July 21 |
| Zone 4 | not needed | May 17 | July 16 |
| Zone 5 | not needed | May 7 | July 6 |
| Zone 6 | not needed | April 28 | June 27 |
| Zone 7 | not needed | April 17 | June 16 |
| Zone 8 | not needed | April 4 | June 3 |
| Zone 9 | not needed | March 8 | May 7 |
| Zone 10 | not needed | February 7 | April 8 |
| Zone 11 | not needed | January 8 | March 9 |
These dates use typical frost dates for each zone. Dibble tunes them to your exact ZIP and lets you adjust frost dates for your own yard.
Companion plants
Good neighbors for Zinnia:
Family and rotation
Zinnia is in the asters family. Lettuce and many flowers. Marigolds and zinnias are excellent companions throughout the garden. Learn about crop rotation.
Related crops
Lettuce
When to plantDahlia
When to plantSunflower
When to plantMarigold
When to plantCosmos
When to plantCalendula
When to plant
Questions
When should I plant zinnias?
It depends on your zone. Zinnia is a tender crop, so the timing follows your last spring frost. Look up your zone in the table below for exact start, sow, and harvest dates, or open Dibble and enter your ZIP to get your own calendar.
How long does it take to grow zinnias?
About 60 days from sowing to the first harvest, with a picking window of roughly 70 days after that.
What grows well with zinnias?
Good companions include Dahlia, Tomato, Marigold.
Plant at the right time this season
Dibble builds your calendar in under a minute. Free to start, no account needed.