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Zinnia angustifolia is often confused with:
Zinnia elegans Zinnia elegans
Zinnia marylandica tight shot of pink flowers and leaves
Native alternative(s) for Zinnia angustifolia:
Echinacea purpurea Flowers (Wake County, NC)
Gaillardia pulchella Swallowtail butterfly
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Petunia x hybrida Petunia x hybrida
Salvia splendens Salvia splendens
Zinnia elegans Zinnia elegans
Zinnia angustifolia has some common disease problems:
Southern Bacterial Wilt on Herbaceous Ornamental Plants

Zinnia angustifolia

Phonetic Spelling
ZIN-ee-ah an-gus-tih-FOH-lee-ah
Description

Creeping zinnia is a clumping, annual flowering plant in the Asteraceae (aster) family and native to northern and western Mexico. It typically grows 8 to 16 inches tall. The zinnia is named in honor of Johann Gottfried Zinn, a German botanist. 

Plant in full sun in well-draining to slightly dry clay or loam soils. Adding compost to the soil before planting will improve the plant’s quality. The plant has a high drought tolerance and is seldom damaged by deer. 

Creeping zinnia blooms abundantly from summer to frost. Its typically single, daisy-like flowers attract butterflies, honey bees, and other pollinators. Plant them in mass in a pollinator garden, along a border, or near a patio. They work well in containers or hanging baskets, lining a walkway, or in cutting or cottage-themed gardens.  

Quick ID

  • Imbricated, obtuse involucral bracts
  • Leaves are opposite, sessile, and narrow linear-lanceolate 
  • Leaves typically have one vein
  • Heads are small with a single row of ray flowers

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:

No significant problems. Some cultivars have shown excellent resistance to phytophthora. See Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common zinnia insect pests and diseases.

 VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Canary Bird'
    Yellow flowers
  • 'Classic'
    8-12" single blooms, spreading habit. Continuous flowering until frost. Ideal for hot, humid locations.
  • 'Crystal White'
    Narrow leafed. Bushy, compact plant
  • 'Crystal Yellow'
    Yellow flowers, 14" tall - 12" spread
  • 'Orange Star'
    Orange daisy-like flowers. Resistant to phytophthora root rot.
  • 'Pette Land White'
    White flowers
  • 'Profusion Orange'
    Orange flowers
  • 'Star Gold'
    12-18" with Orange blooms
  • 'White Star'
    Low, mounded shape. 1'x1'. Resistant to phytophthora root rot.
'Canary Bird', 'Classic', 'Crystal White', 'Crystal Yellow', 'Orange Star', 'Pette Land White', 'Profusion Orange', 'Star Gold', 'White Star'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#honey bees#low maintenance#fall interest#fast growing#summer flowers#deer resistant#long bloom time#spring interest#pollinator plant#fantz#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#black walnut toxicity tolerant#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Canary Bird'
    Yellow flowers
  • 'Classic'
    8-12" single blooms, spreading habit. Continuous flowering until frost. Ideal for hot, humid locations.
  • 'Crystal White'
    Narrow leafed. Bushy, compact plant
  • 'Crystal Yellow'
    Yellow flowers, 14" tall - 12" spread
  • 'Orange Star'
    Orange daisy-like flowers. Resistant to phytophthora root rot.
  • 'Pette Land White'
    White flowers
  • 'Profusion Orange'
    Orange flowers
  • 'Star Gold'
    12-18" with Orange blooms
  • 'White Star'
    Low, mounded shape. 1'x1'. Resistant to phytophthora root rot.
'Canary Bird', 'Classic', 'Crystal White', 'Crystal Yellow', 'Orange Star', 'Pette Land White', 'Profusion Orange', 'Star Gold', 'White Star'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#honey bees#low maintenance#fall interest#fast growing#summer flowers#deer resistant#long bloom time#spring interest#pollinator plant#fantz#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#black walnut toxicity tolerant#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Zinnia
    Species:
    angustifolia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern and western Mexico
    Distribution:
    South and Central America, the West Indies, the United States, Australia, and Italy
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies, honeybees, pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Drought, Dry Soil, Black Walnut. Excellent resistance to fungal diseases: powdery mildew, leaf spots, and Phytophthora.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Wheel
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The inflorescence is a composite head on terminal elongated peduncles; heads small, to 1" in diameter; involucral bracts imbricated, broadly obtuse. Flowers are typically single, of limited color as well as have actinomorphic symmetry; ray flowers in one series, showy, conspicuous, to 6" long, white or yellow, reflexed with age; disc flowers yellow, prominent.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite, sessile, subclasping, linear to linear-lanceolate, entire, acute, base trucate to weakly subcordate; leaves to 1" wide with 1 midrib vein.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Dry Soil