Annual · Asteraceae family
Common zinnia
Zinnia elegans
In short a 10-second read
Common zinnia (annual) grows to 0.15–1.2 m tall and 0.2–0.3 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in average soil. It flowers in June–October; the flowers are red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, green or white.
× spread 0.2–0.3 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun, in average soil.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, loamy
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–October · red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, green or white
Pruning
pinch out the tips (May–June); deadhead spent flowers (June–September)
Planting
direct sowing: May–June; sow indoors: March–April
Winter protection
does not overwinter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
garden tulip
0.25–0.6 m
Siberian-tea
0.3–0.45 m
Bugle
0.15–0.3 mReady-made Studio combinations that include Common zinnia
Annual cosmos and zinnias with coneflower and peony — flowers for the…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Common zinnia flower?
In June–October; the flowers are red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, green or white.
Does Common zinnia tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does Common zinnia need?
At maturity 0.2–0.3 m wide and 0.15–1.2 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 17 expert sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (17)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Zinnia elegans
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Zinnia elegans
- GBIF Vernacular Names API — Zinnia elegans
- Wikidata (CC0) — Zinnia elegans
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Zinnia elegans
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — zinnia elegans
- Pladias — Databáza českej flóry a vegetácie
- RHS - Zinnia elegans
- RHS - How to grow annuals and biennials
- Annie's Annuals
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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