Zinnia

Basic Information

Seed Number

152

Seed Name

Zinnia

Variety

Candy Cane

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Striped 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

7–12 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-85°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; water at soil level and avoid keeping foliage wet

Soil Preference

Rich, well-drained soil with good airflow

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

Ferry-Morse; Fruition Seeds; MSU Extension

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 ~3–4 weeks before planting outside.
Original Start Planting Date: Apr 10 – Apr 20 indoors; ~May 15 direct outdoors
Original Last Suggested Planting Date: ~Jul 15 – Jul 20
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Direct sow/transplant ~May 15 – Jul 20.
Days to Harvest / Bloom: ~60–75 days to bloom
Container Friendly: Yes; ~18+ in pot
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; bees and butterflies
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental/cut flower
Succession / Reusable Notes: Repeat sow every 2–3 weeks until mid-Jul. Deadhead/cut often. Saved seed may not repeat exact striped pattern because zinnias cross easily.
Zone 6B Notes: Easy warm-season annual for Zone 6B. Put outside after frost; continue sowings into Jul for late-summer color.
Companion Plants: Basil, dill, cosmos, marigolds, vegetable-garden edges, other pollinator flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Avoid overcrowding and overhead watering. Watch for powdery mildew/leaf disease. Frost-sensitive.
Sources: Ferry-Morse: https://ferrymorse.com/products/zinnia-candy-cane-seeds | Fruition Seeds: https://www.fruitionseeds.com/shop/flowers/zinnia/organic-candy-cane-zinnia/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/growing_zinnias_in_your_flower_garden

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Plant after frost when soil is warm. Succession sow through mid-July for continued flowering.
Germination: Use standard warm-soil zinnia germination conditions. Exact cultivar-specific germination duration was not verified.
Harvest: Harvest when flowers are fully open and stems are firm. Candy Cane produces variable striped and bicolored blooms.
Seed Saving: Allow selected heads to brown and dry. Candy Cane plants vary naturally and cross readily with other Zinnia elegans.
Special Care: Candy Cane is sold as a variable bicolored strain with striped petals in combinations of rose, cherry, pink, white and yellow, rather than as one uniform flower color.
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/products/zinnia-candy-cane-seeds — Candy Cane cultivar identity, striped bicolored flower pattern, pollinator attraction and cut-flower use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]