Profusion Zinnia

A compact, disease-resistant zinnia that blooms prolifically without deadheading in mounds of single and semi-double flowers. Profusion zinnias resist powdery mildew far better than traditional varieties, making them ideal for humid climates. They excel in borders, mass plantings, and containers with minimal care required.

Profusion zinnia seeds germinate readily in warm soil. Direct sow outdoors after the last frost, pressing seeds a quarter inch deep. Germination takes five to seven days when soil temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors three to four weeks before the last frost in individual pots to minimize root disturbance at transplanting. Seedlings grow quickly and begin blooming just six to eight weeks from sowing, making them one of the fastest annuals from seed to flower.

The Season Plate

Your Profusion Zinnia Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Profusion Zinnia Apr – Jun, pick Jun – Oct. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Apr – Jun

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around May 30

≈ 45 days from sowing · 80 to per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Profusion Zinnia reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

In the app

Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

In the app

Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

In the app

Prefer email? Get monthly reminders in the Almanac

Keep my dates — free for 7 daysWe nudge you as each window opens · cancel anytime

Profusion zinnias can be direct sown or transplanted outdoors after the last frost when soil temperature exceeds 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants eight to twelve inches apart in full sun. These interspecific hybrids between Zinnia elegans and Zinnia angustifolia combine the flower size of traditional zinnias with the disease resistance and compact habit of narrow-leaf types.

Unlike traditional tall zinnias, Profusion types form dense, self-branching mounds twelve to eighteen inches tall and wide. They require virtually no maintenance once planted. Deadheading is entirely unnecessary, as spent flowers are hidden by new growth and the plants bloom continuously from early summer through frost without intervention.

Water consistently during establishment, then reduce to weekly deep watering during dry spells. Profusion zinnias tolerate heat and humidity much better than Zinnia elegans varieties and rarely develop powdery mildew, the bane of traditional zinnias. Feed once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer or apply slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time. These are outstanding performance plants for landscapes, mass plantings, and large container displays.

Profusion zinnias make excellent edging plants for vegetable gardens, where they attract pollinators and beneficial predatory insects. Their compact, mounding habit makes them ideal companions for taller plants like tomatoes, sunflowers, and cosmos. Combine with marigolds and petunias for a low-maintenance, season-long color display. In containers, pair with trailing verbena and sweet potato vine for a self-maintaining combination.

The Society Table

Marigold belongs beside it. Fennel doesn't.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Profusion Zinnia's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 3

MarigoldZinniaPetunia

Keep apart · 1

Fennel

Plant Profusion Zinnia with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Related growing guides

Flowers

Marigold

A good companion for Profusion Zinnia

Flowers

Zinnia

A good companion for Profusion Zinnia

Flowers

Petunia

A good companion for Profusion Zinnia

Flowers

Sunflower

View growing guide

Profusion zinnias grow well in average, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. They are less demanding about soil fertility than giant zinnia types and perform admirably in average garden soil. Work a light layer of compost into the bed before planting. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting or feed monthly with diluted liquid fertilizer. Avoid overly rich soil, which can cause the compact habit to become loose and open.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

While Profusion zinnias are not the primary choice for cut flowers due to their shorter stems, they can be cut for small informal bouquets. Harvest stems when flowers are fully open, selecting the longest stems available. For seed saving, note that Profusion zinnias are F1 hybrids and seeds will not produce plants identical to the parent. If saving seed, allow a few flowers to dry on the plant and collect the small seeds from the dried heads. Deadheading is completely unnecessary for continued bloom production.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Profusion zinnias last five to seven days in a small vase with clean water. Their compact size makes them ideal for bud vases and small arrangements. For drying, pick fully open flowers and press between sheets of parchment paper in a heavy book for two weeks. The single and semi-double flower forms press more successfully than fully double types. Dried flowers retain good color for craft projects.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Profusion zinnias are among the most trouble-free annuals available, bred specifically to overcome the disease and maintenance issues of traditional zinnias. Their primary limitation is the shorter stems that make them less suitable for tall vase arrangements. In very cool, wet springs, young plants may grow slowly until warm weather arrives. Profusion varieties are F1 hybrids, so saved seeds will not come true to type. Otherwise, these are remarkably problem-free garden performers.

Growing Tips

1. Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost for the strongest plants, as Profusion zinnias develop better root systems when not transplanted and germinate quickly in warm soil.
2. Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart to allow adequate air circulation, which is critical for preventing the foliar diseases that affect zinnias in humid climates.
3. Water at the base of plants using drip irrigation or a soaker hose rather than overhead sprinklers, since wet foliage significantly increases the risk of powdery mildew and bacterial leaf spot.
4. Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch such as straw or shredded bark around plants to conserve soil moisture, moderate root temperature, and reduce weed competition.
5. Profusion zinnias do not require pinching or deadheading to maintain their branching habit and continuous bloom production, making them among the easiest annuals to maintain.
6. Feed with a balanced granular fertilizer at planting time and supplement with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season for maximum flower production.
7. Plant Profusion zinnias in full sun locations receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, as insufficient light leads to leggy growth, fewer blooms, and increased disease susceptibility.
8. Combine multiple Profusion colors in the same bed for a vibrant mixed display, or plant single-color blocks for a more structured landscape design with bold visual impact.
9. Succession sow seeds every 2 to 3 weeks from mid-spring through early summer to extend the peak bloom display and ensure a continuous supply of fresh cut flowers throughout the season.
10. If growing in containers, use pots at least 10 inches in diameter with drainage holes and a high-quality potting mix, and water daily during hot weather as containers dry out faster than garden beds.