How to Grow Zinnias in Pot | Potted Zinnia Care
Make a statement in containers by growing zinnias in them and locating them to a prominent place. Here is all you need to know about growing zinnias in the pot!
Zinnias are glorious flowering plants that are grown as annuals and bloom in the late springs. The good news is that zinnias will continue to bloom till the weather doesn’t allow anymore, which can range from weeks to months. There is nothing more cheerful than zinnias in all their colorful glory when they bloom. Planning to grow zinnia in your garden? In this post, we discuss all about growing zinnias in a pot! By growing zinnias in pot, you’ll save up space and relocate as and when required.
Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans
USDA Zones: 3-10
Growing Zinnias in Pot
Zinnias thrive in full sun locate the pot at a spot where it receives around six hours of direct sunlight. The container must have drainage holes at the bottom and around 8-10 inches in depth & width. Well-draining soil rich in organic matter is ideal, but zinnias will grow in almost any soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but do not overwater, or the soil will turn soggy.
Propagating Zinnias
The ideal and easiest way to propagate zinnias is from seeds you can get from the local nursery or garden store. Make sure to sow the seeds when the last expected frost date has passed if you plan to plant the seeds outdoors. You can also start the seeds six weeks early before the last expected frost date. Zinnias are not fond of transplanting, so sow the seeds directly in the pot you’ll use. Here is how you can propagate zinnias in a pot!
- Sow the seeds around a quarter an inch below the soil or sprinkle them over the soil and lightly tap.
- Ensure that the soil is moist and warm and the pot is located at a warm spot.
- As soon as the seed germinates, move the pot where the seedlings receive ample sunlight.
- Thin out the seedlings leaving behind only one or two healthiest seedlings in the pot.
- After six weeks or last frost, you can move the pot outdoors to a sunny spot.
Soon the zinnias will bloom and spread the charm all around! Don’t forget to save up the seeds for next year when the zinnias are done blooming as they are annuals.
Choosing the Container
Go for a pot that’s 8-10 inches deep and wide to grow a single zinnia and a wider pot for growing multiple zinnias in one pot. The size of the container also depends on the cultivar you choose. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to get rid of excess water.
There are cultivars of zinnia that can grow in pots that are just six inches deep that’ s why it makes to the list of Plants that grow in Shallow Pots!
Location
Choose a sunny spot to place the pot as it encourages blooming and healthy growth. Some suitable locations to place the pot will be the porch, patio, or balcony if it’s well lit. In the indoor space, locate the pot near a window that receives plenty of sunlight. Zinnias aren’t picky about the material; you can grow them in ceramic, terracotta, plastic pots, or even hanging baskets.
Soil
The ideal soil would be well-draining and rich in organic matter, but zinnias are adapted to almost any soil. Increase drainage of the potting mix by adding perlite to the mix and organic matter by aged compost. Also, composting the soil will result in prolific blooming!
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not so much that it turns soggy! Ideally, water when the soil becomes dry an inch below the surface, which you can check by poking your finger in the soil. Also, water at the base of the plant making sure to keep foliage isolated.
Zinnia Care in Container
Deadheading
Deadheading is the process of cutting back the flowers that are past their blooming phase. It’ll promote more flowering as the plants’ energy is now redirected towards new blooms. Deadheading also improved the overall aesthetics of the plant!
Fertilizer
Fertilizing with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer diluted half to its strength at the start of blooming season to promote blooming. Apply fertilizer every two to three weeks, and once the plant is finished blooming, stop fertilizing. It’s important to excess usage of fertilizer will do more harm than good.
Pests & Diseases
Common garden pests can cause a bit of trouble for the foliage and blooms, but it isn’t usually a cause of worry. You can easily get rid of these pests by handpicking or spraying neem oil solution, although spraying over the foliage should be used only as a last resort. Wetting the foliage can lead to bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt. Avoid this by keeping the leaves dry by watering at the base, and keeping good air circulation around the plant. Also, do not overcrowd the zinnias in the pot!
Zinnia Toxicity
As per ASPCA, zinnias are non-toxic to dogs, cats and other pets! So you can place it anywhere in the home or backyard without ever worrying.
