Zinnia Dahlia-flowered: The Cut Flower That Never Stops
Dahlia-flowered zinnias are 3–4 inch double blooms that produce from summer to frost. The best cut flower for beginners — the more you cut, the more they bloom.
Zinnias are the easiest cut flower. They germinate fast, grow fast, and bloom for months.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Days to sprout | 5-7 |
| Days to harvest | 60-70 |
| Sun | 6-8 hours |
| Spacing | 9-12 inches |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Colors | Pink, red, orange, yellow, white, purple |
Why Grow It
- Cut-and-come-again. More you cut, more flowers.
- Long bloom season. Summer to frost.
- Fast. 60-70 days.
- Vase life. 7-10 days.
How It Fails
Failure 1: Powdery mildew. White powder on leaves. Airflow helps. Failure 2: Leggy. Not enough sun. Failure 3: Few flowers. Too much nitrogen.
Comparison
| Variety | Flower Size | Height | Vase Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dahlia-flowered | 3-4 in | 2-3 ft | 7-10 days |
| Cactus-flowered | 4-5 in | 2-3 ft | 7-10 days |
| Pompon | 2 in | 2 ft | 10-14 days |
| Profusion | 2 in | 1 ft | 5-7 days |
Common Questions
When do I cut zinnias? When flower is fully open but before center browns.
How do I cut? Long stems. Cut above a leaf node for regrowth.
How long do they last in a vase? 7-10 days. Change water every 2 days.
Why are my zinnias leggy? Not enough sun. Needs 6-8 hours.
Can I grow them in containers? Yes. Dwarf varieties work.
Do they come back every year? No. Annual. But they self-seed.