Elegant Zinnia
Zinnia elegans
- Native to:
- Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua
Alvesgaspar
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Zinnia
- Species:
- Zinnia elegans
- USDA Symbol:
- ZIVI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white, lavender, cream
Host Plant for Caterpillars
blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), Red-banded leafroller (Argyrotaenia velutinana), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Yellow-faced bumble (Bombus vosnesenskii) Butterflies:Atalopedes Scudder, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), Long-tailed Skipper (Urbanus proteus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to regions with warm climates and well-drained soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–10 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil (70-80°F). Direct sow after last frost; do not cover seeds deeply as they benefit from light.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.