Zinnia

Basic Information

Seed Number

153

Seed Name

Zinnia

Variety

Semi-dwarf Pumila MC

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Semi-dwarf zinnia mix (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

3–7 days

Harvest/Maturity

65 days

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; irrigate at the soil line

Soil Preference

Rich, well-drained soil with good airflow

Minimum Container Size

2-3 gal

Plant Height

18-24 in

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

Hudson Valley Seed; Bumble 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 a few weeks early. Direct sowing is simple because zinnias germinate quickly.
Original Start Planting Date: Apr 10 – Apr 25 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: ~65 days to bloom/maturity
Container Friendly: Yes; very suitable; ~12–18+ in pot
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; bees and butterflies
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental/cut flower
Succession / Reusable Notes: Sow every 2–3 weeks through mid-Jul. Deadhead for continued bloom. Saved seed may vary if other zinnias grow nearby.
Zone 6B Notes: Compact useful Zone 6B zinnia. 'MC' is interpreted as 'Mixed Colors' based on commercial labeling for Semi-Dwarf Pumila.
Companion Plants: Basil, dill, cosmos, marigolds, vegetable beds needing pollinator traffic
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Avoid crowding and wet foliage. Powdery mildew can be an issue late season. Frost-sensitive.
Sources: Hudson Valley Seed: https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/products/pumila-mix-zinnia | Bumble Seeds: https://bumbleseeds.com/products/zinnia-pumila-mix-zinnia-elegans-semi-dwarf-multicoloured-zinnia-flowers-mixed-colours-cutting-flower | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/growing_zinnias_in_your_flower_garden

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Direct sow after frost or start indoors approximately 4 weeks earlier. Semi-dwarf plants are useful in smaller beds and containers.
Germination: Zinnias germinate rapidly in warm soil. Minimize root disturbance when transplanting.
Harvest: Harvest fully open blooms once stems are firm. Repeated cutting encourages continued flowering.
Seed Saving: Pumila Mix contains multiple colors and both double and semi-double forms, so saved seed may not reproduce the exact original mixture.
Special Care: The supplied abbreviation 'MC' is interpreted as mixed colors because documented Pumila Mix seed contains pink, purple, orange, red, white and yellow flowers. The packet wording is preserved in the variety field.
Research Source: Park Seed — https://www.parkseed.com/products/pumila-mixed-zinnia-seeds — Pumila Mix identity, 18-24 inch semi-dwarf height, double and semi-double flowers, mixed colors and cut-flower use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]