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How to Grow Zinnia, Benary's Giant Purple

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Zinnia, Benary's Giant Purple

Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Purple'

flower

Benary's Giant Purple is a tall, robust zinnia cultivar prized for its large, fully double purple flowers that can reach 4-5 inches in diameter. These prolific bloomers grow 24-36 inches tall and produce abundant flowers throughout the growing season, making them excellent for cutting and garden display. The plants are heat and drought tolerant once established, thriving in full sun with minimal fussing.

Looking for a specific variety?

Benary's Giant Pink Benary's Giant Red Benary's Giant Salmon Benary's Giant White Benary's Giant Scarlet

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

  1. Plant Zinnia, Benary's Giant Purple

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Zinnia, Benary's Giant Purple blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8+ hours daily (8+ hours preferred for best blooming)
💧
Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues. Once established, very drought tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-80 days from transplant to first flowers; continuous bloom until frost
🌱
Planting depth: 0.25 inches (surface sow or barely cover seeds); plant transplants at same depth as container

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Compost Perlite or sand for drainage Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-11 as an annual; grows year-round in zones 10-11

2b 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

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with rounded cotyledons; true leaves develop within 1-2 weeks

Maintain warm soil (70-75°F), consistent moisture, and bright light. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding waterlogging.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple sets of true leaves, stem thickens, branching begins. Foliage is lance-shaped and medium green.

Thin seedlings to proper spacing early. Pinch central stem at 6-8 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowering branches. Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged.

3

Branching & Pre-flowering

2-3 weeks

Plant becomes increasingly bushy with multiple side branches forming. First flower buds appear at branch tips.

Continue light pinching if plant is leggy. Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Begin fertilizing every 2-3 weeks with balanced or bloom-promoting fertilizer.

4

Flowering

8-12 weeks until frost

Large, fully double purple blooms (4-5 inches) cover the plant. Continuous flowering occurs with abundant blossoms.

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to extend bloom season. Water during dry spells but reduce frequency as plant matures. Fertilize every 2 weeks. Watch for pests and diseases.

5

Late Season

Until hard frost (28°F)

Flowering continues through mid to late fall. Plants may slow in production as temperatures drop.

Continue deadheading to maintain bloom. Reduce watering slightly as growth slows. Collect seeds from spent flowers if desired. Plants are killed by the first frost.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Marigold Salvia Cosmos Sunflower Celosia Verbena Coreopsis Russian Sage Rudbeckia Ornamental Grasses

Avoid planting near:

Beans (may reduce bean production) Fennel (allelopathic interference)

Common Pests

  • Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity and air circulation; rinse foliage with strong water spray

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide; remove infected leaves

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; prune affected growth

  • Yellow sticky traps; neem oil or insecticidal soap; reflective mulch; spray undersides of leaves

  • Remove infected leaves; avoid overhead watering; improve air circulation; use copper fungicide

Uses

🍳

Edible Petals

Culinary

Zinnia petals are edible and can be used as colorful garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. They offer a slightly spicy, peppery flavor and add visual appeal to dishes. [source]

🏠

Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Household

Benary's Giant Purple zinnias are exceptional cut flowers that last 10-14 days in a vase. Their large, dramatic blooms make them ideal for floral arrangements, bouquets, and flower crowns. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Zinnias attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the blooming season. They provide abundant nectar and pollen, making them valuable for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]

🎨

Dried Flowers & Crafts

Craft

Large zinnia blooms dry exceptionally well for use in dried arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. Hang stems upside down in a dry location for 2-3 weeks for drying. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

In traditional medicine, zinnia flowers have been used to support immune function and reduce inflammation. Some herbalists prepare teas or infusions from the petals. [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 and buds are just opening. Cut stems 1/3 to 1/2 the plant height. Remove lower leaves below the waterline. Change vase water every 2-3 days. Deadhead spent blooms on living plants immediately to promote more flowering. Flowers last 10-14 days in a vase.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Zinnia flowers are named after Johann Gottfried Zinn, an 18th-century German botanist and physician. Benary's Giant varieties were developed by Ernst Henry Frederick Benary, a famous German seed breeder.
  • 🌱 Zinnias are native to Mexico and Central/South America, thriving in hot, sunny conditions—they actually perform better in heat waves than many other flowers.
  • 🌱 The fully double flowers of Benary's Giant varieties are a result of selective breeding; the center petals form dense layers, creating pompom-like blooms that can contain hundreds of petals per flower.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Damping Off Deadhead Full Sun True Leaves
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