Flower (annual)
Zinnia
Zinnia elegans
One of the most reliable cut-and-come-again annuals, let down almost only by powdery mildew from overhead watering in humid weather.
| Light | Full sun, 6+ hours |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate; water at the base to keep foliage dry |
| Spacing | 15-45 cm depending on variety |
| Zones | Annual everywhere; frost-tender |
| Harvest | N/A — cut flowers repeatedly to extend bloom |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Cutting more means blooming more
Zinnias are determined to set seed. Cutting stems for a vase — or deadheading spent blooms — redirects energy into new flower buds rather than seed production, and a well-cut patch will out-bloom an untouched one.
Keep foliage dry to avoid mildew
Powdery mildew is the main recurring problem, especially late in the season. Water at soil level rather than overhead, and space plants for airflow rather than crowding them for a fuller look early on.
More plant profiles
- SunflowerA fast, tall annual that tracks the sun as a seedling and stops moving once flowering begins — the classic beginner flower with a real taproot to respect.
- MarigoldA tough, pungent-scented bedding plant widely interplanted with vegetables, though its pest-repelling reputation is stronger in folklore than in controlled trials.