How to Save Zinnia Seeds

Zinnias are the darlings of the garden. They are easy to grow, beautiful and make great cut flowers. They are a cut flower gardeners dream plant. They come in so many different colors and sizes, there’s one or two for every gardener!

How to save zinnia seeds:

1. Choose open-pollinated zinnias. Open-pollinated zinnias will produce seeds that are true to the parent plant. Hybrid zinnias will not.
2. Wait until the zinnias are fully ripe. The seeds will not be viable if the zinnias are not ripe. The seeds will be easier to remove and will be more likely to germinate if the zinnias are fully ripe.
3. Cut the zinnia heads off the plant and let them dry completely.
4. Once the zinnia heads are dry, remove the seeds. The seeds are the small, brown arrowhead-shaped objects in the center of the flower head.
5. Spread the seeds out on a paper towel or a plate to dry completely.
6. Once the seeds are dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Quick tips for saving zinnia seeds:

• Do not save seeds from zinnias that have been treated with pesticides or herbicides.
• Test the seeds before planting them to make sure they are viable.

FYI: Open-pollinated zinnias are those that have been pollinated by natural means, such as wind or insects. Hybrid zinnias are those that have been bred by crossing two different varieties of zinnias. The seeds of hybrid zinnias will not be true to the parent plant, meaning that the offspring will not have the same characteristics as the parent plant.

In depth tips:

• Wait until the zinnias are fully ripe. The seeds will not be viable if the zinnias are not ripe. The seeds will be easier to remove and will be more likely to germinate if the zinnias are fully ripe.
• Remove the seeds from the zinnia heads. You can do this by gently squeezing the flower head or by using a needle or tweezers to remove the seeds.
• Spread the seeds out to dry. The seeds need to be completely dry before they can be stored. Spread them out in a single layer so that they can dry evenly.
• Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. The ideal temperature for storing zinnia seeds is 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. A refrigerator or freezer is a good option.

Choose open-pollinated zinnias. Open-pollinated zinnias are those that have been pollinated by natural means, such as wind or insects. Hybrid zinnias are those that have been bred by crossing two different varieties of zinnias. The seeds of hybrid zinnias will not be true to the parent plant, meaning that the offspring will not have the same characteristics as the parent plant.

10 zinnia varieties you can grow and save seed from:

1. Benary’s Giant is a tall variety that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It has large, double flowers in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and white.
2. Queen Lime Red is a dwarf variety that only grows about 12 inches tall. It has bright red flowers with a lime green center.
3. Double Zahara Cherry is a double-flowered variety that has large, round flowers in a deep cherry color.
4. Uproar Rose is a single-flowered variety that has small, daisy-like flowers in a deep rose color.
5. Queeny Lime Orange is a dwarf variety that has bright orange flowers with a lime green center.
6. Oklahoma Mix is a mix of tall and dwarf varieties with a variety of flower colors, including red, orange, yellow, and white.
7. Cactus Flowered Mix is a mix of dwarf varieties with flowers that have a spiky, cactus-like appearance.
8. Isabellina is a tall variety that has large, single flowers in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and white.
9. Unicorn Mix is a mix of tall and dwarf varieties with flowers that have a unique, striped or spotted appearance.
10. Jazzy Mix is a mix of tall and dwarf varieties with a variety of flower colors, including red, orange, yellow, white, and bicolors.

These are just a few of the many zinnia varieties available. When choosing zinnias for your garden, consider the size of the plant, the flower color, and the bloom time. Zinnias are a great choice for a sunny spot in your garden, and they will provide you with months of colorful blooms.

Zinnias are amazing and grow so freely. They make a perfect cut flower plant and can do well with neglect.

Happy Gardening!