California Giant Zinnia
Zinnia elegans 'California Giant'
flowerZinnias are the most versatile and rewarding cut-flower annuals for home gardeners. Bright orange, red, yellow, pink, white, and bi-color blooms on sturdy 18 to 36-inch stems make them outstanding in vases and in the garden. They also attract a remarkable variety of butterflies, bees, and beneficial wasps that help control vegetable garden pests.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Bloom
~60 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
12-18 in
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Planting Depth
1/4 in
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Soil pH
5.5-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
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; monthly light feeding through summer
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 monthly; avoid high nitrogen which favors leaves over blooms
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow after last frost when soil is above 65 F, or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks early for a head start. Zinnias resent root disturbance, so transplant carefully. Full sun is non-negotiable — shaded zinnias grow leggy and bloom poorly. Space generously for airflow because powdery mildew is the primary challenge. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering. A second sowing in midsummer extends bloom into fall.
🌼 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 18
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first bloom
Jun 28
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Tomato — Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control hornworms and aphids
- Pepper — Draws pollinators to improve fruit set
- Cucumber — Attracts native bees for pollination
- Most vegetables — Outstanding general beneficial insect habitat; butterflies and bees visit constantly
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart; choose mildew-resistant varieties; apply potassium bicarbonate or neem oil at first sign
Water blast; insecticidal soap; zinnias tend to attract aphid predators naturally
Handpick in morning; neem oil spray; floating row cover on young plants
Avoid overhead watering; remove and bag infected plant material
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Cut when the outermost ring of petals is fully open but the center is still tight. Stems cut too early in bud stage do not open fully in the vase. Cut in the morning when flowers are fully hydrated. Recut stems under water and change vase water every 2 days. Vase life is 5 to 12 days. Frequent cutting encourages more blooms.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
As a companion plant: exceptional pollinator resource attracting 30+ butterfly species and numerous bee species. Hoverflies and parasitic wasps visiting zinnia flowers also control aphids, whiteflies, and caterpillar pests in adjacent vegetable beds.
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.