With September just around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping our gardens blooming beautifully well into fall. And when it comes to ideal flowers for this, zinnias are at the top of the list!
But can you actually plant them in September? I asked myself the same question – until one year, I gave it a try and discovered the answer: yes, you absolutely can!
Zinnias are low-maintenance, love the heat, and will keep your garden lively right until the first frost.
If you are wondering about the same thing I was, here’s a more detailed answer + some tips on planting and growing zinnias.
Yes, And Here’s Why
Most people think of zinnias as a staple flower for spring gardens, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t plant them in the fall as well!
In fact, you can totally plant zinnias in late summer and still enjoy their vibrant flowers all the way through fall. That’s because fall weather is usually drier, and it’s just what they need in order to thrive.
Personally, I like to get mine in the ground by mid-August so I can admire those cheerful flowers until the first frost finally shuts them down.
But even if you didn’t plant them in August, there’s still enough time to get those seeds in the ground during September.
So, get digging!
This might be helpful: A Complete Guide Through All The Zinnia Growth Stages
These Planting And Growing Tips Might Help Your Zinnias Thrive
But before you really get your hands dirty, here are some handy tips for planting and growing zinnias that helped mine grow abundantly!
• More Sun, please – zinnias are sun-lovers, so plant them where they’ll get full sunlight. They also prefer well-drained soil (avoid soggy soils!).
• Spacing is important – give your zinnia seeds some space to breathe. Plant them about 9”-12” apart so they have enough room to grow and spread those delightful petals.
• Pinch for more blooms – if you’re growing zinnias for cut flowers, a little pinching when they’re young is helpful. Pinch off the new growth just above the 2nd or 3rd leaf set. This encourages branching and gives you longer flower stems, but don’t go overboard (one pinch is all you need).
• Cut or deadhead to prolong the flowering – cutting the flowers regularly promotes new growth. If you’d rather leave them in the garden, deadhead (remove the spent blooms) them to prevent disease and encourage more fresh flowers.
• Drought tolerant, but they still like a drink – zinnias don’t mind dry spells, but during really dry periods, you’ll want to give them some water. Just avoid overhead watering; use a soaker hose or water at the base to prevent fungal diseases.
• Watch for leaf spots – zinnias can fall victim to fungal diseases that cause leaf spots, usually starting at the base and creeping up the plant. If needed, rotate fungicides like mancozeb and myclobutanil every seven days to fight off the spots.
• Keep them versatile – there are so many zinnia varieties to choose from, but honestly, I’ve had great luck with whatever my local garden center had available. Benary Giant, State Fair, and Cactus Flowered Mix are some classics worth trying, though you can always go wild and experiment with different types!
Wait for the ideal planting time, follow the tips, and enjoy some amazing flower displays!
Related: 10 Best Zinnia Companion Plants + Some Varieties To Avoid