How to Grow Zinnias for Your Wedding Flowers
If you’re dreaming of growing your own wedding flowers, zinnias are an excellent choice. They’re easy to grow, highly productive, and come in a stunning variety of colors and shapes to suit any wedding palette. Plus, they’re well-loved by pollinators, which makes them not just a beautiful addition to your big day but also a gift to your garden’s ecosystem. Here’s everything you need to know about growing zinnias for your wedding flowers!
Why Choose Zinnias?
Zinnias are one of the easiest cut flowers to grow, making them perfect for beginner gardeners. They’re prolific producers of long-stemmed blooms that are ideal for bouquets, centerpieces, and even floral crowns. With proper care, a single packet of seeds can produce buckets of blooms, giving you plenty of flowers to work with for your wedding.
When and Where to Plant Zinnias
Timing Is Everything
Zinnias love warm weather and resent the cold, so timing is key. If you live in a warm climate, you can direct-seed zinnias into your garden after the danger of frost has passed. For cooler climates, like Maine, it’s best to start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Transplant them into the garden once the soil has warmed up and the threat of frost is gone. In my area (zone 4b) we safe from frost anytime after Memorial Weekend. If you plant outdoors too early, you risk killing your baby plants. Each variety will have a different “days to maturity” timeline, so make sure to read the specs. Some will be ready to harvest 35 days after planting the seed, while others are closer to 90 days! Try to time it out so that the plants are mature about a week before your wedding. That will give you a little extra wiggle room.
Choosing the Right Spot
Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. Full sun means full sun… not dappled, not part shade. Sun. All day! To give them the best start, prepare your planting beds with a generous dose of compost and organic fertilizer. If you’re growing for a wedding, it’s worth the extra effort to ensure your plants are as healthy and productive as possible.
Planting Zinnias
Spacing and Support
Space zinnia plants 9 to 12 inches apart to allow for good airflow, which helps prevent disease. If you’re planting them in long rows, consider corral-style support. Use heavy stakes or T-posts around the perimeter of the bed and string bailing twine to hold the plants upright. For smaller garden beds, individual stakes and twine work just as well.
Drip Irrigation and Mulching
Drip irrigation is a great way to provide consistent moisture, which zinnias need to thrive. Covering the beds with pre-burned landscape fabric can help suppress weeds and retain heat, though it’s not essential for success. It just makes life easier. You can buy drip irrigation systems on Amazon or at most hardwarse stores. You can also use a simple soaker hose. Set it to a timer (water for 10 minutes at 6am and again at 6pm) and you’ll never have to worry about your plants getting thirsty!
Tips for Healthy Plants
Zinnias come in ALL the colors! You can grow anything from whites and soft pastels all the way to the most vibrant shades of fuchsia and orange.
Pinching for More Blooms
“Pinching” your zinnia plants when they are 8 to 12 inches tall encourages them to produce more stems and flowers. Use sharp pruners to snip the top 3 to 4 inches off the plant, just above a set of leaves. This simple step can dramatically increase your flower production!
Preventing Disease
Zinnias are prone to “powdery mildew” during hot, dry weather. To minimize this, ensure good airflow around your plants and keep them well-watered but not waterlogged. Preventative sprays with organic fungicides like Cease and MilStop can also help.
Deadheading
Regularly harvesting or deadheading spent blooms keeps your zinnias focused on producing new flowers rather than going to seed. If you’re not cutting flowers for arrangements every day, make sure to deadhead any fading blooms.
Harvesting Zinnias for Your Wedding
The Wiggle Test
To ensure your zinnias last as long as possible in arrangements, only harvest flowers that are fully ripe. Use the “wiggle test”: grab the stem about 8 inches below the flower head and gently shake it. If the stem stays stiff, it’s ready to cut. If it droops, let it mature a bit longer.
Post-Harvest Care
Zinnias are considered a “dirty” flower, meaning they can introduce bacteria into the water. Add a drop or two of bleach to the vase water to keep blooms fresh. Avoid putting zinnias in a cooler, as they are very cold-sensitive. With proper care, zinnias can last up to a week in a vase, so you can cut them a few days before your wedding without fear of wilting.
Favorite Zinnia Varieties for Weddings
Zinnias come in a rainbow of colors and a range of shapes, from ruffled pom-poms to elegant single-petal blooms. You can get them from specialty seed distributors like Johnny Seeds. Some popular varieties for weddings include:
Benary’s Giant Series: Known for its large, vibrant blooms and long stems.
Queen Lime Series: Offers unique, muted tones like lime green, blush, and antique pink.
Zinderella Series: Features frilly, scabiosa-like blooms that add a touch of whimsy.
Get Planting!
Growing zinnias for your wedding flowers is a rewarding and cost-effective way to personalize your big day. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also create a meaningful connection to your wedding decor. Plus, zinnias’ vibrant colors and abundant blooms will add joy to your garden all season long.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a total beginner, zinnias are a reliable, beautiful choice for DIY wedding flowers. Start planting, and watch your wedding garden bloom!
