Can You Sow Zinnia Seeds In November? That Depends On Where You Live

The vibrant, colorful blooms produced by the zinnia plant are a desirable addition to any garden, with the most popular species being Zinnia elegans. While you can grow zinnia flowers from cuttings, some gardeners prefer to start fresh with seeds. The sharp, arrowhead-shapes seeds of zinnias are easy to sow, but as winter approaches, you might be worried that it's too late in the year to plant them. Don't fret — you can sow zinnias in the fall in some cases. However, to ensure your seeds germinate, you must make sure to plant them 60 to 70 days before the first autumn frost is expected. Depending on where you live, the first autumn frost could come early or late in the season, which will determine whether or not fall planting is feasible.

Zinnia seeds prefer to germinate in soil that is at least 70 degrees, so frosty conditions will not yield successful flowers. The 60-to-70-day timetable comes from the length of time it takes the seed to grow into a flower, though you might only see one round of flowers before the frost comes. If you live in a tropical location like southern Florida, which rarely freezes, you can confidently plant your zinnia seeds in the fall and enjoy flowers through winter. On the other hand, the first fall frost in a colder location like Appleton, Wisconsin is around October 1st, rendering fall planting practically impossible.

Once established, zinnias are low-maintenance annuals, making them a must for beginner gardeners looking to attract butterflies. While you can start zinnias from seeds in indoor containers, they are sensitive to transplantation, so it's best to start them where you want them — in your garden. The seeds will germinate if the minimum daytime temperature is around 60 degrees and the soil temperature is around 70 degrees, which is why you must pay attention to frost dates for planting in autumn.

When planting, push the seeds in ¼ inch into the soil, spaced 8 to 24 inches away from another plant. As far as soil type is concerned, zinnias enjoy a pH of 5.5 to 7.5 and a well-draining soil composition, as the plant is susceptible to mildew in overly moist conditions. After the plant has germinated, water your zinnias only once the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out, and avoid wetting the foliage once your seeds mature into a full, leafy plant. To protect your plant from any sudden, unexpected autumn freezes, surround the base with mulch to keep the soil insulated. For the best results, your zinnias should see at least eight hours of full sun daily.

Growing and caring for zinnias is not a difficult task, even in cold places. As autumn leeches the color from your environment, you might be longing for bright, colorful flowers, but unlike someone in a warm southern location, your area sees early autumn frosts. To negate the harmful impact of frost on zinnias, you can grow your zinnias as houseplants. Then, once spring frosts have passed, you can set their containers outside to soak up sunlight and attract butterflies.

In containers, zinnias still have many of the same needs as they do in an outdoor garden. Make sure your zinnias are placed in a spot that receives ample sunlight once they germinate, a process that should take around four to eight days. If they are not receiving enough sunlight, you'll notice the plant becoming long and leggy. To keep your zinnias healthy through the winter, you can fertilize them with a high phosphorous fertilizer, which will encourage them to produce more flowers.