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How to Grow Benary's Giant Purple Zinnia

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Benary's Giant Purple Zinnia

Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Purple'

flower

Benary's Giant Purple is a stunning cultivar of common zinnia known for producing exceptionally large, fully double flowers in a rich purple color. These dramatic blooms can reach 4-5 inches in diameter and are excellent for cutting, adding bold color to bouquets and garden displays. This vigorous annual grows 24-36 inches tall with a bushy, branching habit.

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Example Benary's Giant Purple Zinnia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Benary's Giant Purple Zinnia

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Benary's Giant Purple Zinnia blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Benary's Giant Purple Zinnia dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours for best flowering)
💧
Water: Water deeply and consistently, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established, moderately drought-tolerant. Water at soil level to avoid foliar diseases. Requires about 1 inch of water per week.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-75 days
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Planting depth: 1/4 inch (surface sown or barely covered; seeds need light to germinate)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with moderate fertility
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost or well-rotted manure Perlite or sand for drainage Balanced fertilizer at planting

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-11 as a warm-season annual; grows best in zones 5-10

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seed & Germination

7-14 days

Seeds germinate in 7-10 days at 70-75°F. Seedlings emerge with cotyledons (seed leaves), then develop true leaves.

Provide bright light immediately after germination. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Ensure good air circulation to prevent damping-off. Seeds may be started indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost.

2

Seedling & Transplant

3-4 weeks

Plants develop 2-4 sets of true leaves and become bushy. Seedlings ready to pot up or transplant when 2-3 inches tall.

Thin seedlings to prevent crowding. Provide bright light and moderate watering. Harden off gradually before transplanting outdoors. Begin light fertilization with diluted liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks.

3

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plants establish strong root systems and branch vigorously. Foliage is lush green with developing side shoots; plant reaches 12-18 inches tall before flowering begins.

Pinch the central stem when 6 inches tall to encourage bushiness and more flower buds. Water consistently and deeply. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Remove any weak or damaged branches.

4

Flowering & Blooming

8-12 weeks (or until frost)

Large, fully double purple flowers appear at branch tips. Multiple blooms develop sequentially from midsummer through first frost. Flowers are 4-5 inches in diameter and provide continuous color.

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to stimulate continued blooming. Water during dry spells. Switch to higher-phosphorus fertilizer to support flower production. Cut flowers frequently for arrangements—this promotes more blooms.

5

Decline & End of Season

2-4 weeks (until first frost)

Plants slow flowering as temperatures drop in fall. Foliage may yellow; overall vigor declines as frost approaches. Flowers become smaller and less prolific.

Continue deadheading to extend the season. Reduce watering slightly. Save seeds from late flowers if desired before first frost. Remove plants after the first hard freeze.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Marigolds Salvias Cosmos Zinnias (other colors) Celosia Dusty Miller Verbena Dahlias Rudbeckia

Avoid planting near:

Plants that compete heavily for nutrients in poor soil Shade-casting tall plants on the south or west side

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick in early morning; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; deploy beetle traps away from plants; encourage beneficial predators like parasitic wasps.

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide; remove infected leaves; ensure adequate spacing.

  • Increase humidity with regular misting; use insecticidal soap; spray with strong water jet to dislodge; apply neem oil every 7-10 days if needed.

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; use strong water spray; attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings; remove heavily infested shoots.

  • Use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer which promotes infestation.

Uses

🍳

Edible Petals & Garnish

Culinary

Zinnia petals are edible and safe for consumption. Use fresh petals as a colorful garnish for salads, cakes, and desserts for visual appeal and mild flavor. [source]

🏠

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Household

Benary's Giant Purple zinnias are exceptional cut flowers with long vase life and dramatic presence. Ideal for bouquets, floral arrangements, and special event decorations. [source]

🎨

Dried Flowers & Craft Projects

Craft

Large fully double flowers dry exceptionally well and retain color for months. Use in dried arrangements, wreaths, crafts, and pressed flower projects. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Zinnias attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. Plant in gardens to support beneficial insect populations. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

Zinnia has been used in traditional medicine in various cultures for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, though modern scientific support is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Begin cutting flowers when petals are fully open but the flower is still firm, typically mid-morning after dew dries. Use a sharp knife or pruners and cut stems 12-16 inches long. Remove lower leaves before placing in water. Flowers last 7-10 days in a vase; re-cut stems every 2-3 days and change water regularly. Deadheading garden plants promotes continuous blooming throughout the season.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Benary's Giant Purple produces some of the largest zinnia flowers available—up to 5 inches across—making it a spectacular specimen for both gardens and cutting gardens.
  • 🌱 Zinnias are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed and are historically beloved by gardeners because deadheading spent blooms triggers prolific new flower production throughout summer.
  • 🌱 The name 'Zinnia' honors Johann Gottfried Zinn, an 18th-century German botanist; the genus originated in Mexico and has been cultivated for thousands of years.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Germination pH Transplant True Leaves
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