Growing zinnias is almost always a win for any gardener. These flowers are so resilient that back in 2016, astronauts even managed to get one to bloom on the International Space Station! Since they’re annuals, you’ll need to start fresh with new seeds every spring.
To Buy or to Harvest?
The good news is you don’t have to run to the garden center every year. You can easily harvest your own seeds at the end of the season. Just a heads-up, though: if you save your own seeds, the new flowers might not be the exact same color as the “parents.” Since bees move from flower to flower, you never quite know what kind of beautiful surprise color you’ll get next year!
Starting Your Zinnias Indoors
You can get a head start on the growing season by starting your seeds indoors as early as February. Here’s how to do it:
- Fill your pots with a high-quality, low-nutrient seed-starting mix.
- Sow no more than three seeds per pot.
- Try to space the seeds at least two to four inches apart.
- Cover the seeds with a light layer of soil—they need darkness to germinate.
- Cover your containers with a lid or plastic wrap to keep humidity in, but leave a little gap for airflow so you don’t run into mold issues.
Place your pots in a warm spot, and you should see those little sprouts popping up within eight to ten days.
How to Harvest Your Own Seeds
If you want to collect seeds for next year, patience is key. Wait until the flower heads are completely dry and mature on the plant. Snip them off and lay them out on some newspaper or a paper towel in a warm, dry place. Let them sit for about two weeks. Once they’re bone-dry, you can tap the seeds out of the flower heads and store them in a cool, dry spot until spring rolls around.
