Best Zinnia Types to Grow in Your Garden for Stunning Blooms

Zinnias are one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow in a garden. Their bright colors, long-lasting blooms, and ability to thrive in various conditions make them a must-have for any gardener.

Over the years, I’ve grown many different zinnia varieties, and I can confidently say that these flowers never disappoint.

Whether you want compact types for containers or tall, showy ones for cutting gardens, there’s a zinnia variety perfect for your needs.

Why Grow Zinnias?

Zinnias are one of the simplest flowers to grow from seed and provide an explosion of color all season long. They thrive in full sun, need very little care once established, and bloom quickly, often within six to eight weeks of planting.

Additionally, their continuous blooming habit ensures a vibrant display throughout summer and into early fall.

Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, flock to zinnias, making them a great addition to any pollinator-friendly garden. For those who enjoy fresh flower arrangements, zinnias are excellent cut flowers with sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms.

Best Zinnia Varieties for Your Garden

1. Benary’s Giant Zinnias

Benary’s Giant zinnias are one of the largest varieties, producing fully double blooms that reach up to six inches in diameter. They come in a range of bold colors, including deep red, bright orange, sunny yellow, and soft pink.

This variety is highly resistant to powdery mildew, making it an excellent choice for humid climates. Growing up to four feet tall, these zinnias are perfect for cutting gardens, offering sturdy stems and long-lasting flowers for arrangements.

2. Profusion Zinnias

The Profusion series is ideal for gardeners looking for a compact, low-maintenance zinnia.

These plants grow about twelve to eighteen inches tall and spread into neat mounds, making them great for borders, containers, and flower beds. Their self-cleaning nature means no need for deadheading, and they continuously bloom without much effort.

Profusion zinnias are highly disease-resistant and come in vibrant shades of red, orange, white, and pink.

3. Zahara Zinnias

Zahara zinnias are similar to the Profusion series but tend to produce slightly larger blooms. These flowers thrive in heat and drought conditions, making them ideal for warm climates.

With strong disease resistance and long-lasting blooms, Zahara zinnias are great for both garden beds and potted displays. Popular colors include bright yellow, cherry red, and raspberry.

4. Queen Lime Zinnias

For those looking for something unique, Queen Lime zinnias provide an elegant twist on the traditional zinnia. These flowers feature soft lime-green petals that sometimes blend into shades of pink, red, or burgundy.

The blooms measure three to four inches wide, and their vintage-inspired hues make them a standout in floral arrangements. Growing up to three feet tall, they add a beautiful contrast to bright-colored flowers in the garden.

5. Candy Stripe Zinnias

Candy Stripe zinnias bring a playful charm to any garden with their unique, streaked petals in shades of red, pink, and white.

These old-fashioned zinnias produce large, four-inch blooms and are highly attractive to butterflies. Their long stems make them a great choice for cut flowers, and they add a whimsical touch to cottage gardens.

6. Lilliput Zinnias

For small, pom-pom-like blooms, Lilliput zinnias are a great choice. These dwarf plants grow up to two feet tall and produce fully double flowers that are about one to two inches wide.

Available in a mix of bright colors, they are perfect for edging garden beds or filling containers. Despite their small size, Lilliput zinnias attract plenty of pollinators and make charming additions to any space.

7. Envy Zinnias

If you’ve ever wanted a green flower, the Envy zinnia is for you. This rare variety produces bright lime-green blooms that add a fresh, unexpected pop of color to gardens and bouquets.

Growing up to thirty inches tall, Envy zinnias thrive in heat and full sun, making them an interesting addition to any flower bed. Their unique color pairs beautifully with deep purples and bright oranges for stunning visual contrast.

8. Cactus-Flowered Zinnias

Cactus-flowered zinnias are one of the most exotic-looking varieties, featuring spiky, quilled petals that give the blooms a fringed appearance. They come in bold shades of pink, red, yellow, and orange and add texture to both garden beds and floral arrangements.

These plants grow up to four feet tall and are incredibly easy to care for, producing continuous blooms throughout the summer.

9. State Fair Zinnias

State Fair zinnias are one of the biggest and tallest varieties, with large, fully double flowers that can reach up to five inches across. These plants grow up to four feet tall, making them perfect for the back of flower beds or as a colorful backdrop in garden designs.

The flowers come in a mix of colors, including bright reds, purples, oranges, and yellows, creating a bold statement wherever they are planted.

10. Double Zahara Cherry Zinnias

Double Zahara Cherry zinnias offer the beauty of double blooms in a compact, bushy plant. These zinnias grow about eighteen inches tall and are highly resistant to disease, making them perfect for containers and garden borders.

Their deep cherry-red flowers stand out beautifully against green foliage, providing a stunning display throughout the growing season.