Zinnia
A reliable bee and butterfly magnet, but very prone to powdery mildew in humid or crowded conditions - space plants well, water at the base rather than overhead, and pinch out the first buds for bushier growth.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- moderate
- Spacing
- 30cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 90cm
- Flowering season
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees, Butterflies
- Common diseases
- Powdery mildew
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: October-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: October-December. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: November-December.
Growing stages
Germination & planting
- Space plants well from the outset, around 30cm apart, as crowding is the main driver of powdery mildew
- Sow or plant out once the weather has warmed
Establishment
- Water at the base rather than overhead to keep foliage dry and reduce mildew risk
- Pinch out the first buds to encourage bushier, more floriferous growth
Vegetative growth
- Growth reaches up to 90cm; continue watering at the base rather than overhead
- Powdery mildew is the main risk, especially in humid or crowded conditions
Flowering
- A reliable bee and butterfly magnet once flowering starts
- Keep watching for powdery mildew on leaves, especially in humid weather
- Deadhead to keep blooms coming