Zinnia Planting Schedule - Chart
By Parvez Akhtar Pasha | Apr 11, 2026
Hey gardeners, we all love Zinnia. I feel more satisfied when I grow Zinnia and harvest it by myself. To grow Zinnia properly, the planting time is crucial for your specific Planting Zone.
So today I will give you a well-researched Zinnia Planting Schedule based on my own research and interviewing many gardeners from different planting zones.
| Zone | Start Seeds Indoors | Direct Sow Outdoors | Transplant Time | Bloom Window | Variety Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5A | Apr 20 – May 10 | Jun 1 – Jun 20 | Jun 5 – Jun 25 | Jul – Sep | Benary’s Giant, State Fair Mix |
| 5B | Apr 10 – May 1 | May 20 – Jun 15 | May 25 – Jun 20 | Jul – Oct | Benary’s Giant, California Giant |
| 6A | Apr 5 – Apr 25 | May 15 – Jun 10 | May 20 – Jun 15 | Jun – Oct | Benary’s Giant, Cut & Come Again |
| 6B | Apr 1 – Apr 20 | May 5 – Jun 5 | May 10 – Jun 10 | Jun – Oct | Queen Lime Series, Oklahoma Mix |
| 7A | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | May 1 – May 25 | May 5 – May 30 | Jun – Oct | Oklahoma Series, Cut & Come Again |
| 7B | Mar 15 – Apr 10 | Apr 20 – May 20 | Apr 25 – May 25 | May – Oct | Zahara Series, Profusion Series |
| 8A | Mar 10 – Apr 1 | Apr 10 – May 10 | Apr 15 – May 15 | May – Oct | Zahara Series, Profusion Series |
| 8B | Mar 1 – Mar 25 | Apr 1 – May 1 | Apr 5 – May 5 | May – Nov | Zahara Series, Profusion Series |
| 9A | Feb 20 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 15 | Mar 20 – Apr 20 | Apr – Nov | Zahara Series, Profusion Series, Heatmaster |
| 9B | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Mar 1 – Apr 10 | Mar 10 – Apr 15 | Apr – Dec | Zahara Series, Profusion Series, Desert Sun |
| 10A | Jan 20 – Feb 20 | Feb 10 – Mar 20 | Feb 15 – Mar 25 | Mar – Dec | Zahara Series, Profusion Series, Persian Carpet |
| 10B | Jan 10 – Feb 10 | Feb 1 – Mar 10 | Feb 10 – Mar 15 | Year-round (best Mar–Dec) | Zahara Series, Profusion Series, Thumbelina |
Keep in mind:
- Plant after last frost
- Soil temperature should be 60°F (16°C) or higher
- Zinnias love warm weather and full sun
Here are some problems I listed down commonly faced while growing Zinnia plants. But you can overcome this with an organic pest control method.
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits eating seedlings | Young, tender zinnia seedlings are highly attractive to rabbits | Use chicken wire fencing, garden netting, or plant covers to protect seedlings |
| Powdery mildew | Poor air circulation and wet leaves from overhead watering | Avoid overhead watering and space plants properly for good airflow |
| Aphids | Small sap-sucking insects that weaken plants | Spray with neem oil or a strong water blast to remove them |
| Leaf spot | Fungal disease caused by wet foliage and poor airflow | Remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and improve spacing |
| Root rot | Overwatering or poorly drained soil | Use well-drained soil and water only when the topsoil is dry |
| Leggy seedlings | Insufficient light or overcrowding | Provide strong light, thin seedlings, and keep proper spacing |
