How to Grow Benary's Giant Salmon Zinnia

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Benary's Giant Salmon Zinnia

Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon'

flower

Benary's Giant Salmon is a stunning zinnia variety prized for its massive, fully double flowers in a warm salmon-pink hue. These vigorous annual plants produce 4-5 inch blooms on sturdy stems, making them excellent for cutting and garden display. The variety is renowned for its heat and humidity tolerance, thriving in summer conditions where other flowers struggle.

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

Plant Benary's Giant Salmon Zinnia
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Benary's Giant Salmon Zinnia blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily; 8+ hours preferred for maximum blooms

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growth; reduce watering slightly once established. Water at soil level to prevent powdery mildew. Drought-tolerant once mature, but blooms best with regular watering.

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Spacing: 18-24 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-75 days from seed to first flowers

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Planting depth: 1/4 inch (barely cover seed, as zinnia seeds need light to germinate)

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-10; best annual performance in zones 5-9

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny green shoots emerge 7-10 days after planting with two oval cotyledons. First true leaves appear narrow and opposite.

Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and moist. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth. Thin seedlings to prevent damping off.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops sturdy stems and multiple sets of lance-shaped leaves. Height increases rapidly; plant appears bushy without flower buds yet.

Pinch or prune the growing tip when 6-8 inches tall to encourage bushier branching and more flowers. Water regularly and maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F).

Budding & Early Flowering

2-3 weeks

Flower buds appear at stem tips and branch axils. Initial blooms open; flowers are fully double with tightly packed petals in salmon-pink.

Begin regular fertilizing with balanced or slightly phosphorus-rich fertilizer every 2 weeks. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.

Peak Flowering

8-12 weeks

Plant is covered in 4-5 inch fully double flowers. Blooms are abundant, perfectly formed, and at their largest size. Foliage remains healthy and vibrant.

Deadhead regularly to maintain flower production. Water consistently. Watch for pests and powdery mildew. Cut flowers for arrangements.

Decline (End of Season)

Variable; until first frost

As temperatures cool or frost approaches, flowering slows. Flowers may become smaller and fewer. Foliage may show stress or discoloration.

Let final flowers remain on plant if collecting seeds. Frost will kill the annual; pull entire plant for compost. Save seeds from dried flower heads.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Marigolds Cosmos Celosia Verbena Dusty Miller Artemisia Ornamental grasses Zinnias (other varieties)

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring afternoon shade Companion plants competing for water (in very dry conditions) Root vegetables

Common Pests

Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Improve air circulation; water at soil level, not foliage. Apply sulfur-based fungicide or baking soda spray (1 tbsp per gallon water).
Hand-pick in early morning. Use pheromone traps nearby, not directly on plants. Apply spinosad if severe.
Spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce populations.
Ensure excellent drainage; do not overwater. Remove infected plants immediately. Use disease-resistant varieties for next season.

Uses

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Edible Flowers

Culinary

Zinnia petals are edible and add color to salads, desserts, and cocktails. The delicate salmon pink provides visual appeal and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. [source]

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Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Craft

Benary's Giant Salmon is a premium cut flower variety, producing long-stemmed, fully double blooms ideal for floral arrangements, bouquets, and wedding designs. Exceptional vase life extends enjoyment for over a week. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Double-flowered zinnias like this variety produce less nectar than single forms, but still attract bees and butterflies to the garden. They provide sustained color and food sources throughout summer. [source]

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Drying for Dried Arrangements

Household

Fully double flowers dry well and retain color, making them excellent for dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and long-lasting displays. Hang-dry in a warm, dark location. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

In traditional medicine, zinnias have been used to support skin health and address minor ailments, though modern scientific evidence is limited. Some herbalists prepare infusions or creams. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are hydrated for longest vase life (7-10 days). Snip just above a leaf node to encourage branching and more flowers. Cut regularly—deadheading spent flowers promotes continuous blooming throughout the season. For seeds, allow a few flowers to fade on the plant; collect dried seed heads in fall before frost.

Fun Facts

🌱 Benary's Giant Salmon is an All-America Selections (AAS) award winner, recognized for superior performance and horticultural excellence.
🌱 Zinnias are native to Mexico and were cultivated by Aztecs; they were named after Johann Gottfried Zinn, an 18th-century botanist.
🌱 This variety was developed by the renowned German seed company Ernst Benary, famous for creating many giant and dwarf zinnia varieties through selective breeding.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Compost Damping Off Deadhead Full Sun pH True Leaves

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