When it comes to finding the best companion plant to grow in your vegetable garden, it is hard to beat the amazing benefits that growing zinnias can bring. Not just for their stunning display of colorful blooms from Spring to Fall – but for how they can help your vegetables grow and produce better than ever!
Zinnias have long been admired for their big, showy blooms. With varieties that flower in every color of the rainbow, they look sensational when growing in flowerbeds or along walkways and fence lines. Zinnias also happen to look equally beautiful planted in raised beds, containers and pots.
But beyond their stunning looks, this heavy flowering annual has so many great qualities that make it perfect for growing. For starters, it makes a wondrous cut flower. Their sturdy, strong stems hold up well in vases and arrangements, as do their long-lasting blooms.
Even better, zinnias are extremely drought and heat resistant. In fact, once established, other than a bit of regular deadheading, they require very little in the way of maintenance. And if all of that wasn’t enough, zinnias also happen to be high on the list of plants that deer steer away from as well.
But even with all of those amazing attributes, it is when you plant zinnias in a vegetable garden that their beauty and usefulness come together in full force. And that is exactly why so many gardeners who love to grow vegetables plant them all around their garden!
The Benefits Of Planting Zinnias In The Vegetable Garden
If you have ever driven through an Amish community during the summer, you have likely seen many of their vegetable gardens surrounded with plantings of zinnias.
Although you might have thought it was solely for beauty, it is actually a common practice for the benefits the flowers bring to their vegetable plants. As it turns out, all of those massive, colorful blooms aren’t just pretty. They also happen to attract a slew of pollinators and beneficial insects!
Bring On The Pollinators
Much like with marigolds, nasturtiums and other popular flowering companion plants, zinnias provide a whole host of added benefits for the plants growing around them. See: How To Repel Pests With Marigolds
Zinnias are a major attraction for honey bees, one of natures greatest pollinators of all. In fact, honey bees are responsible for pollinating well over 100 fruit and vegetable crops!
Once honey bees find a source of food, they will keep coming back again and again until it disappears. Because zinnias stay in bloom constantly, when they are planted near or in your garden, it means honeybees are visiting them and your other garden plants each and every day.
Butterflies, Birds & Wasps – How Zinnias Help Your Garden
In addition to the honey bee, zinnias attract other important pollinators to the garden as well, like butterflies, humming birds and wasps. All three help to disperse and distribute pollen as they visit to feed on the blooms of the zinnia, and by doing so, help increase harvest totals of your vegetable crops.
In addition to helping pollinate, wasps also happen to be one of the best natural defenses against the tomato hornworm and aphids. Wasps actually lay their eggs on the hornworms, which ultimately kills them, helping to keep your plants safe in the process.
But it doesn’t stop there. Zinnias also attract huge numbers of ladybugs. And when it comes to devouring deadly mites and aphids, ladybugs are at the top of the list. A single lady bug can eat an entire colony of three to five thousand aphids in its lifetime, protecting tender garden plants in the process.
How To Plant Zinnias For Success!
With all of those benefits, it’s easy to see why you should be planting zinnias near your vegetables. Where you place them in your garden is really a matter of personal preference. As long as they are close, they will bring in the help!
Many gardeners like to plant them along an edge in a row. This mass planting style not only calls in a big amount of helpful insects and pollinators, but can also add a mass of color and beauty to your vegetable garden space. You can also inter-plant among your vegetable rows as well.
Sowing a few seeds to come up between your tomatoes and peppers brings beneficial insects right near your plants. If space is at a premium, planting in containers and placing them around your garden is a great option as well.
Planting
No matter where you grow them, perhaps the best part of planting zinnias in or near your garden is just how easy they are to plant and maintain. Zinnias are extremely easy to grow from seed, which is both fast and inexpensive compared to planting transplants.
Zinnias are actually not well-suited for transplanting. As transplants, they often struggle to re-establish their roots into new surroundings. For this reason, it is best to sow directly into the soil or containers. The good news is that zinnias germinate and grow quickly, so it doesn’t take long for blooms to appear.
When To Plant
For best results, wait to plant until the soil and air temperatures have warmed to a solid 70°(F) during the daytime. It’s important not to plant zinnias too early in the spring. Be sure to wait until all threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Plant zinnias in full sun in rich, fertile soil that drains well. If there is one drawback to growing zinnias, it is that they are susceptible to powdery mildew. By giving them plenty of sunlight and well draining soil, the risk of mildew will be greatly reduced.
Plant seeds shallow, no more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep into the soil. Spacing will depend on how and where you grow. For row or hedge planting, allow 6 inches between plants and at least 18 inches between rows. For containers, plant seeds 2 to 3 inches apart. As for varieties, there are a whole slew to choose from:
- Affiliate Seed Link : Zinnia Seeds – California Giants
- Affiliate Seed Link : Zinnia Seeds – Pulcino Mix
- Affiliate Seed Link : Zinnia Seeds (Dwarf) – Button Box Mix
If planting to fill an entire bed space, allow at least 6 inches between seeds and seedlings in all directions. This will allow them to grow together without too much crowding. Overcrowding plants can lead to mildew issues if there is no airflow between the foliage in a large mass planting.
Water, Mulch & Fertilizer – Growing Zinnias
Zinnias are drought and heat tolerant. They actually tend to suffer more with too much water than not enough. Water tender young seedlings only when the soil becomes completely dry to the touch. Once established, plants will rarely need watering unless extremely dry conditions persist.
If planted in containers, they will require more regular watering. Be sure to allow the potting soil to dry out between watering to keep the roots from sitting in overly moist conditions.
Once young seedlings emerge through the soil, mulch to help regulate soil temperatures and control weeds. Zinnias do not like to compete for nutrients. A three to four inch layer of mulch will help to keep bed spaces clear and your plants in good health.
Zinnias can be fertilized with a high quality balanced all-purpose fertilizer to help power more productive growth and blooms. Allow young seedlings to establish in the soil for 4 weeks before applying a first dose. Apply a light application monthly thereafter to help them continue strong flower production.
Cut Your Flowers To Keep Them Growing!
Zinnias will continue to produce as long as the spent blooms are cut back from the plants. They are well-known as a cut and come again plant, meaning if you keep cutting them, they will keep on producing. It is just one more reason they are a great choice to grow for cut flowers.
Here is to planting zinnias as companion plants in your vegetable garden this year, and having them help you grow better vegetables and fruits than ever!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Zinnias are a popular companion plant for vegetable gardens due to their stunning blooms and the benefits they provide to the surrounding plants. They attract pollinators such as honey bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and wasps, which help increase the pollination and harvest of vegetable crops. Zinnias also attract ladybugs, which are natural predators of mites and aphids, providing protection for the garden plants. Additionally, zinnias are easy to grow from seed and require little maintenance once established. They are drought and heat resistant, making them suitable for various garden conditions. Planting zinnias near vegetables can add beauty, attract beneficial insects, and enhance the overall productivity of the garden.
Benefits of Planting Zinnias in the Vegetable Garden
Zinnias offer several benefits when planted in a vegetable garden. They attract a variety of pollinators and beneficial insects, including honey bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, wasps, and ladybugs. These insects help with pollination and act as natural predators for pests like tomato hornworms and aphids. By planting zinnias in or near the vegetable garden, gardeners can create a favorable environment for these beneficial insects to thrive and contribute to the overall health and productivity of the garden [[1]].
Attracting Pollinators
Zinnias, like marigolds and nasturtiums, are known for attracting pollinators. Honey bees, in particular, are major pollinators and are responsible for pollinating over 100 fruit and vegetable crops. Zinnias provide a constant source of nectar and pollen, attracting honey bees to the garden. The continuous blooming of zinnias ensures that honey bees visit them and the surrounding vegetable plants daily, aiding in pollination [[2]].
Beneficial Insects
In addition to honey bees, zinnias also attract other important pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and wasps. These insects help disperse and distribute pollen as they feed on the zinnia blooms, which ultimately increases the harvest of vegetable crops. Wasps, in particular, play a crucial role in controlling pests like tomato hornworms and aphids. They lay their eggs on the hornworms, effectively eliminating them and protecting the garden plants. Ladybugs are also attracted to zinnias and are known for their voracious appetite for mites and aphids. A single ladybug can consume thousands of aphids in its lifetime, providing natural pest control for the garden [[3]].
Planting Zinnias for Success
Zinnias are easy to grow from seed and are best sown directly into the soil or containers. They do not transplant well, so it is recommended to sow them directly where they will grow. Plant zinnias in full sun and well-draining soil that is rich and fertile. It is important to wait until the soil and air temperatures have warmed to around 70°F (21°C) before planting zinnias. This usually occurs after the threat of frost has passed in the spring. Zinnias are susceptible to powdery mildew, so providing ample sunlight and good airflow can help reduce the risk of mildew [[4]].
Watering, Mulching, and Fertilizing
Zinnias are drought and heat tolerant, but they should be watered when the soil becomes completely dry to the touch. Once established, zinnias require minimal watering unless extremely dry conditions persist. When planted in containers, zinnias may require more regular watering, but it is important to allow the potting soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overly moist conditions. Mulching around zinnias helps regulate soil temperatures and control weeds. A layer of mulch also helps keep the bed spaces clear and promotes the health of the plants. Zinnias can be fertilized with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer to support their growth and flower production. It is recommended to allow young seedlings to establish in the soil for about four weeks before applying the first dose of fertilizer [[5]].
Continuous Blooming and Cut Flower Production
Zinnias are known as "cut and come again" plants because they continue to produce blooms as long as spent flowers are cut back. This makes them an excellent choice for cut flowers. By regularly cutting the blooms, gardeners can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh flowers while encouraging the zinnias to produce more blooms. This feature adds to the appeal of growing zinnias as companion plants in vegetable gardens [[6]].
In summary, zinnias are a beneficial companion plant for vegetable gardens. They attract pollinators and beneficial insects, enhance pollination, and provide natural pest control. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed, require little maintenance, and are drought and heat resistant. By planting zinnias in or near the vegetable garden, gardeners can enjoy the beauty of their blooms while reaping the benefits of increased productivity in their vegetable crops.
