The Fiery Type Of Zinnia That Thrives In The Heat And Blooms All Summer Long

If you're looking for the perfect flowers for a cut flower garden, look no further than zinnias. Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow, and their ability to produce bloom after bloom throughout the growing season ensures that you always have eye-catching additions for your homemade bouquets. The term "zinnia" actually refers to an entire genus of flowers, not just one specific plant. As a result, you have a variety of options to choose from, including one colorful heat-loving species that'll keep your garden colorful all summer long.

Also known as the Haage zinnia, the Mexican zinnia (Zinnia haageana) is a zinnia species native to Mexico. It holds up well to drought and heat, which makes it perfect for summer gardens in warmer climates where other flowers may fail to thrive. It blooms throughout the summer and fall, showcasing vibrant flowers in an array of colors. And the best part? Mexican zinnias are as easy to grow as other zinnias. This means that learning how to grow and care for these zinnias is a task even beginner gardeners can take on, especially since they'll hold up to the occasional missed watering.

As low-maintenance as they are, however, if you want to enjoy those blooms all summer long, it's important to give your Mexican zinnias the best chance at success. Taking the time to learn the optimal care can be the difference between an occasional harvest and a garden that's full of colorful flowers throughout the season.

The first step to growing Mexican zinnias is to choose a spot in your yard that provides the right growing conditions. These light-loving flowers need full or partial sun, so if you're looking for a shade-loving bloomer to add some color to your yard, you may wish to skip on these. While they can tolerate spots with fewer than six hours of direct sunlight each day, you may not experience nearly as much blooming. In fact, your zinnias may not produce flowers at all. They also need soil that's rich in nutrients and well-draining to prevent any standing water. They're drought-tolerant, but you want to avoid overwatering; only water when the soil is dry to the touch.

One thing to keep in mind is that Mexican zinnias also need good air flow. It can be tempting to plant them close together, creating thick clusters of color in your garden. However, they do prefer drier conditions, and overcrowding your zinnias can retain moisture from watering or humidity, leading to problems down the road. Expect each plant to reach about 1 foot wide at maturity, and space your zinnias accordingly. 

Because Mexican zinnias are annuals, you don't need to worry about hardiness zones when growing these flowers. However, this also means that they won't come back year after year in your garden on their own, instead requiring replanting each year. Fortunately, you can easily harvest zinnia seeds to replant the following season. Seeds can be started indoors or sown directly into the garden once temperatures stay above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.