Zinnia

Basic Information

Seed Number

139

Seed Name

Zinnia

Variety

Yellow

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Yellow zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 7

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June, July

Indoor Start

Apr 7 – Apr 14

Direct Sow

May 6 – Jul 15

Transplant

May 12 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

4 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

1 weeks

Germination Days

5–7 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-80°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

9-12 in

Row Spacing

18-24 in

Thin-To Spacing

9-12 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Moderate water; irrigate at soil level and allow foliage to dry quickly

Soil Preference

Rich, well-drained soil with good air circulation

Minimum Container Size

2-3 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow after frost or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jul 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–75 days to bloom
Succession / Reusable Notes: Cut-and-come-again flower; succession sow.
Zone 6B Notes: Avoid wet foliage to reduce mildew.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, basil, calendula, marigolds, sunflowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Overhead watering/crowding
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Direct sow after the May 5 frost date or start indoors approximately 4 weeks earlier. Succession sow every 2-3 weeks through mid-July.
Germination: Sow 1/4 inch deep in warm soil. Germination typically occurs in 5-7 days.
Harvest: Harvest fully open flowers once stems are stiff enough to pass the wiggle test. Frequent cutting encourages continued bloom.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flower heads to fully brown and dry. Zinnia elegans varieties cross readily with one another.
Special Care: The supplied variety is only identified as 'Yellow,' so no specific commercial yellow cultivar is assumed and cultivar-specific maturity and height remain null.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/blog/post/how-to-grow-zinnia — 5-7 day germination, 4-week indoor start, 1/4-inch depth, 75-80°F germination temperature, full sun and 9-12 inch spacing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]