Zinnia with its cheerfully colorful flower heads decorates borders, full-sun beds and is ideal as a gap filler between attractive grasses. Since these easy-to-care plants only thrive as annuals in our latitudes, they have to be replanted every year. We have summarized here for you how you should proceed.
How should you plant zinnias correctly?
To plant zinnias correctly, choose a location in full sun, sheltered from the wind and humus-rich, slightly loamy soil with a pH value between 5.8 and 6.2. Plant them after the ice saints and ensure a distance of around 30 cm from the neighboring plant. Water thoroughly after planting, but avoid waterlogging.
Planting time
As soon as there are no more night frosts after the ice saints, you can plant the zinnias outdoors, regardless of whether they are plants you have grown yourself or perennials from the garden center.
The right location
The Zinnia is an absolute sun worshipper that doesn't mind midday temperatures of over thirty degrees. For this reason, a location in full sun and protected from the wind is ideal.
The Soil Claims
Zinnias are relatively undemanding and thrive in their natural habitat even on very stony and barren substrates. Permeable, humus-rich and slightly loamy substrates ensure abundant flowering throughout the summer. The optimal soil pH is between 5.8 and 6.2.
Observe plant spacing
So that the zinnias do not compete for each other's space, you should maintain a distance of about thirty centimeters from the neighboring plant, depending on the size of the adult plant.
Planting
First, carefully remove the root ball from the cultivation container and place it in water for about thirty minutes. During this time, dig the planting hole, which should always be a little larger than the original pot. Make sure that the roots are not bent and fit well in the planting pit. Fill the planting hole with soil, press it lightly and water the zinnia thoroughly.
Since zinnias are quite sensitive to waterlogging, it is advisable to incorporate some sand into the subsoil if the soil has a lot of clay and also add a drainage layer of gravel.
Propagate and grow Zinnias
Zinnia seeds can either be purchased from garden shops or harvested yourself. You can grow zinnias indoors or in a heated greenhouse as early as February. Zinnias are dark germinators, so cover the seeds placed in the seed trays with a little soil. Well watered and covered with a cap (€12.00 at Amazon), the first seedlings appear after about ten days.
Alternatively, you can sow Zinnia directly in the garden after the Ice Saints.
Tip
If planted correctly, the zinnia will bloom shortly after planting and into autumn. Cut off wilted flowers regularly, this stimulates new flower formation.
