Hailing from sunny Mexico, zinnias are pretty tough cookies when it comes to poor soil. However, they can be a bit picky about other things! If you want your garden to be bursting with as many colorful blooms as possible, giving your zinnias some extra TLC is key.
Keep Them Hydrated
In their native Central American habitat, zinnias can survive the occasional dry spell, but they’ll definitely sacrifice their flowers to do it. If you want an explosion of color, regular watering is a must. Pro tip: Water them in the early morning or evening. Avoid midday watering because water droplets on the leaves can act like tiny magnifying glasses in the sun, leading to leaf scorch—and since zinnias love full sun locations, that’s a real risk!
Don’t Forget the Fertilizer
Good zinnia care means keeping them well-fed after planting. If yours are growing in a garden bed, mixing in some compost or a slow-release fertilizer works wonders. If you’re growing them in pots or containers, go with a high-quality liquid fertilizer instead. Just follow the instructions on the label for the best results.
Pruning and Deadheading
You don’t need to worry about heavy pruning with these guys. However, you should definitely “deadhead” them—which is just a fancy gardening word for snipping off wilted flowers. Removing the old blooms quickly encourages the plant to put its energy into producing brand-new flowers.
Pests and Diseases
Zinnias are incredibly hardy and don’t get sick very often. Occasionally, you might run into a bit of powdery or downy mildew. They are also naturally resistant to most pests. If you do spot some aphids, you can usually just pick them off by hand. For a bigger infestation, a natural horsetail spray can help get things back under control.
To keep your zinnias happy and healthy, just remember:
- Water them regularly
- Give them plenty of nutrients
- Snip off those faded blooms
