Zinnia in Zone 11a & 11b
Zinnia elegans
When to plant zinnia in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Zinnia tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Dec 4–Dec 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 8–Jan 15 |
| Estimated bloom | Mar 14–Mar 21 (~65 days after planting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-4 ft.
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 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free in this dataset, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
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 11b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Zinnia in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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