When to plant zinnias
Short answer
Plant zinnias about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22, starting seeds indoors about Mar 11. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Dec 11 | Jan 22 | Mar 28 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 11 | Feb 22 | Apr 28 |
| Zone 3 | Feb 3 | Mar 17 | May 21 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 23 | Apr 6 | Jun 10 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 11 | Apr 22 | Jun 26 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 26 | May 7 | Jul 11 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 10 | May 22 | Jul 26 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 27 | Jun 8 | Aug 12 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Zinnias is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant zinnias?
Plant zinnias about 1 week after your last spring frost. That's around Apr 6 in zone 4 and May 7 in zone 6.
When do I start zinnias seeds indoors?
Start zinnias seeds indoors about 5 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 26 in zone 6.
How long until zinnias blooms?
About 65 days from planting until first bloom. In zone 6, zinnias planted around May 7 is typically blooming near Jul 11.