Love those cheerful yellow Mexican Creeping Zinnias (also known as Sanvitalia)? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but these little guys are strictly annuals. Once the season is over, they’re done for good. If you want that golden carpet of blooms again next year, you’re going to need some fresh plants.
Propagating Mexican Creeping Zinnias via Seeds
Growing more Mexican Creeping Zinnias is actually pretty reliable, but there’s a catch: you have to do it by seed. Since these sunny little flowers are so popular, you can easily find seeds or starts at your local garden center or online. You probably won’t find them at the local grocery store, though! If you already have some growing in your garden, the best way to keep the party going is to harvest your own seeds.
- Leave the last of the fall blooms on the plant.
- Once the flowers fade, they’ll start forming seeds.
- Carefully snip off the dried seed heads.
- Tap the tiny seeds out onto a cloth or directly into a paper envelope.
- Let the seeds air-dry indoors for a bit.
- Store them in a cool, dark, and dry spot until spring.
Starting Seeds Indoors in the Spring
Since Mexican Creeping Zinnias are not frost-hardy, you can’t sow them directly outside until late April at the earliest. However, if you want to squeeze every bit of bloom time out of these annuals, I recommend starting them indoors in February. With a little luck from Mother Nature, you’ll see flowers as early as the beginning of June!
- Fill a seed tray with high-quality seed-starting mix.
- (Pro tip: You can also mix regular potting soil with a bit of sand).
- Scatter the seeds thinly across the surface.
- Cover them with just a tiny dusting of soil—they need light to germinate!
- Place them in a bright, warm spot (around 65°F or 18°C).
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Thin them out or move them to individual pots after about six weeks.
The First and Last Frost of the Year
The first and last frosts of the year are the ultimate “no-go” zones for these plants. They simply won’t survive a freeze, and they aren’t candidates for overwintering indoors. Wait until after the “Ice Saints” (the last expected frost in mid-May) to move your new plants to a sunny spot in the garden. If you live in a particularly mild area, you might get away with planting a week or two earlier. If you’re growing them in containers, you can bring them out during the day sooner, as long as the temperatures stay warm.
Quick Tip:
Is your house already overflowing with seed trays? Don’t sweat it. You can always let the pros do the heavy lifting and just buy established starts from the nursery. It’s the easiest way to go—though it’ll cost you a few extra bucks!
