Zinnia peruviana (Peruvian Zinnia)

Zinnia peruviana (Peruvian Zinnia) is a subtropical and tropical, fast-growing, upright annual boasting a profusion of single, daisy-like flowers, 1-3 in. across (2-7 cm), in shades of red, orange, deep pink, or yellow in summer and fall. Sparsely branched, with rough, bristly stems and leaves, it is often grown in gardens, where it self-seeds readily. Attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, the blossoms dry well for arrangements. Highly valued as an ornamental flowering plant around the world, Zinnia peruviana is also used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat diarrhea, vomiting, and various stomach pains.

• Grows up to 3 ft. tall and wide (90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in humus-rich, well-drained, fertile soil. Tolerate all soil types except for wet, poorly aerated soils, which can cause root rot.
• Great choice for naturalized areas, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, native gardens, pollinator gardens, or containers.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for gray mold and powdery mildew. Grow this zinnia in an open site to prevent powdery mildew issues.
• Don’t crowd the plants to keep them disease-free and avoid powdery mildew. Air circulation is important.
• Deadhead to prolong flowering.
• Propagate by seed sown in pots in spring, or in warm areas, sown in situ in late spring.
• Native to the Southwestern U.S.A., Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina.
• Zinnia peruviana is a weed in parts of America including Mexico and Ecuador, where it is native. It is also a weed and an escape from cultivation in other parts of the world such as the Galapagos Islands, Queensland in Australia, China, Swaziland and Ethiopia.