Benarys Giant Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'Benarys Giant'
flowerBenarys Giant is the workhorse cut-flower zinnia series, bred in Germany and recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers for its uniformity, productivity, and strong vase life. Plants reach 3 to 4 ft and produce densely petaled 4 to 5 in. double blooms in 13 saturated colors - deep red, scarlet, orange, golden yellow, lime, carmine rose, coral, salmon rose, wine, purple, bright pink, white, and a mix. Long thick stems do not bend like other zinnias, making this the cut-flower zinnia.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Bloom
~85 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
9-12 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Seed 1/4 in. deep
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Soil pH
5.5-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting and again at first bloom
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or compost
🌱 Growing Guide
Start Benarys Giant indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or direct sow after soil reaches 70F. Sow seed 1/4 in. deep and thin to 9 to 12 in. apart in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Pinch young plants when 8 to 10 in. tall, cutting just above a set of leaves; this single pinch doubles the number of usable stems. Water at the base in the morning to limit powdery mildew, zinnias main weakness. Cut blooms regularly - the more you pick, the more it produces.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 22
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Projected first bloom
Jul 16
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Cosmos — Cutting-garden partner that shares heat and full sun and adds airy foliage to bouquets
- Salvia — Pulls in hummingbirds and bees that also visit zinnia blooms
- French Marigold — Suppresses root-knot nematodes and adds low color in the cutting bed
- Globe Amaranth — Heat-loving everlasting that pairs with zinnias in mixed bouquets
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The main weakness - give plants 9 to 12 in. spacing for airflow, water at the base in the morning, and remove infected lower leaves; some Benarys colors mildew faster than others
Hose off colonies, plant alyssum for hoverflies, and support ladybugs
Handpick into soapy water in cool morning; avoid traps which attract more than they catch
🌸 Blooms & cutting
The wiggle test tells you when to cut: grasp a stem 8 in. below the flower and wiggle; if the stem is rigid, the bloom is ready; if it bends and the flower nods, wait. Cut deeply just above the first set of side branches; this triggers the strongest secondary growth. Sear the cut stem in hot water for the longest vase life of 7 to 12 days, well above the average for zinnias. The more you cut, the more Benarys Giant blooms.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Benarys Giant Zinnia is a top-tier pollinator plant: the open double-but-not-too-double form still gives bees and butterflies access to the nectar, and the long bloom window from midsummer to frost makes it a reliable late-season nectar source. The variety is one of the very best annual cut flowers, and the cut-and-come-again habit makes it economical for both home and market gardeners.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.