Zinnia in Zone 10a & 10b
Zinnia elegans
When to plant zinnia in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. In your zone, Zinnia needs a head start on the heat that direct-sowing elsewhere doesn't require.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Feb–May |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar–Jul |
| Estimated bloom | May 5–Oct 4 (~65 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-4 ft.
Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.
Zinnias are about as forgiving as annual flowers get: direct-sow them after frost, give them sun, and they bloom fast and heavily with almost no fuss, throwing up daisy or dahlia-form flowers in almost every color except true blue on plants anywhere from 1 to 4 feet tall. They've also earned their spot in a vegetable garden on merit. They're one of the better-documented pollinator draws for nearby crops, beyond their good looks as a border filler.
How zinnia fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Zinnia needs about 65 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Tomato: Attracts pollinators and hoverflies that improve fruit set and help control aphids.
- Cucumber: Attracts pollinators that improve fruit set.
Where to buy zinnia seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing zinnia" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Zinnia in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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