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How to Grow Zinnia, Benary's Giant

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Zinnia, Benary's Giant

Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant'

flower

Benary's Giant is a premium cultivar of common zinnia known for producing exceptionally large, fully double flowers on tall, sturdy stems. These vibrant blooms can reach 4-5 inches in diameter and are prized by florists and gardeners for cut flowers. The plants grow 24-36 inches tall and flower prolifically throughout summer and fall.

Looking for a specific variety?

Benary's Giant Scarlet Benary's Giant Pink Benary's Giant Purple Benary's Giant Yellow Benary's Giant White Benary's Giant Salmon

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

  1. Plant Zinnia, Benary's Giant

    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 blooms

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily; 8+ hours preferred for best bloom production
💧
Water: Regular watering, 1-1.5 inches per week; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to prevent mildew on foliage.
📏
Spacing: 18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-80 days to first blooms
🌱
Planting depth: ¼ inch; seeds need light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, fertile and evenly moist
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost aged manure balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-11; typically grown as annual in cooler regions

2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves emerging; delicate and vulnerable to damping off.

Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Provide good air circulation. Thin seedlings or transplant to prevent crowding. Keep at 70-75°F.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Young plants developing multiple sets of true leaves and establishing branching structure; 4-8 inches tall.

Pinch growing tips when 6-8 inches tall to encourage branching and bushier shape. Harden off before transplanting outdoors. Water regularly and fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer.

3

Budding & Early Flowering

3-4 weeks

Flower buds beginning to form at branch terminals; first blooms appearing; plant reaching 18-24 inches.

Continue watering consistently. Switch to higher-phosphorus fertilizer to support flowering. Remove any small or imperfect buds to encourage larger blooms on remaining stems. Begin weekly deadheading.

4

Peak Blooming

8-12 weeks or until frost

Abundant 4-5 inch double flowers covering the plant; robust, full-sized blooms in peak color; plant 24-36 inches tall.

Deadhead spent flowers every 2-3 days to maintain continuous blooming. Water deeply during dry spells. Apply mulch to conserve moisture. Fertilize every 2 weeks to sustain production.

5

Late Season

Until first frost

Flowering continues but may slow as temperatures cool; flowers remain high quality until first frost.

Continue deadheading. Stop fertilizing in late August to allow plant to slow naturally. Plants will bloom until first frost (typically 28-32°F).

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Marigold Salvia Rudbeckia Verbena Cleome Cosmos Coneflower Basil Tall ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill

Common Pests

  • Spray foliage with water to dislodge mites; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity; ensure good air circulation

  • Water at soil level, not foliage; improve air circulation; apply sulfur dust or fungicide; remove affected leaves; avoid overhead watering

  • and

    Handpick; use beer traps; apply diatomaceous earth; create barriers; remove mulch directly around stems

  • Spray with insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; encourage natural predators; apply neem oil

  • Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and parasitic wasps

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

Zinnia petals are edible with a slightly spicy, peppery flavor and can be used to garnish salads, desserts, and cocktails. They add vibrant color and mild flavor to fresh salads and are safe for consumption if grown without pesticides. [source]

🎨

Cut Flower Arrangements

Craft

Benary's Giant zinnias are professional-quality cut flowers prized by florists for their large, long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems. They are ideal for wedding arrangements, bouquets, and floral designs. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, zinnias have been used to support respiratory health and reduce inflammation. Modern herbalists use zinnia flower extracts for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Zinnias are excellent nectar and pollen sources for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting pollinator populations throughout summer and fall. Their abundant flowers provide continuous food for beneficial insects. [source]

🏠

Garden Color & Landscape Design

Household

Benary's Giant zinnias provide bold, continuous color in mixed borders, containers, and cutting gardens. Available in vivid reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purples, and whites, they brighten any landscape from mid-summer until frost. [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 or evening when stems are most turgid. Cut long stems (12-18 inches) just above a leaf node to encourage more branching and blooms. Flowers last 10-14 days in a vase. For maximum vase life, remove lower leaves, change water every 2-3 days, and add floral preservative. Deadhead spent flowers on plants every 2-3 days to promote continuous blooming throughout the season.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Benary's Giant was specifically bred by the Benary seed company in Germany to produce exceptionally large, exhibition-quality blooms with superior vase life—often lasting 2+ weeks when properly conditioned.
  • 🌱 Zinnias are native to Mexico and were named after Johann Gottfried Zinn, an 18th-century German botanist, though they became widely cultivated in European gardens only after their introduction from the Americas.
  • 🌱 Cutting zinnias frequently actually increases flower production rather than harming the plant; removing spent blooms signals the plant to redirect energy into producing more flowers as a reproductive strategy.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Damping Off Deadhead Full Sun Mulch pH Transplant True Leaves
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