Zinnia 'Zinderella Lilac'

Zinderella Lilac (Zinnia elegans)

Lilac Zinderella Zinnia enchants with bright lilac blooms accented by a deep, contrasting eye, offering a whimsical, romantic charm in gardens and bouquets. Like other Zinderella zinnias, it is prized for its “cupcake” or scabiosa-shaped flowers, giving each bloom a fluffy, textured appeal. While this unique form is highly sought after, not every seed will produce a cupcake-shaped bloom—expect roughly 10–15%, and sometimes even fewer.

To encourage these special blooms, provide consistent watering, fertile soil, full sun, and warmth. Zinnias thrive in heat and do best when sown directly into the garden after frost. Avoid transplant shock to increase the chances of double or cupcake-shaped flowers. With patience, Lilac Zinderella will reward gardens with a charming mix of whimsical, textured blooms.

DETAILS:

QTY: 25

TYPE: Annual

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: 1/4"

GERMINATION: 5-7 days at 21-24°C

HEIGHT: 24-30”

MATURITY: 75-90 days

SPACING: 9-12”

PINCH: When 12” tall

HOW TO GROW:

Direct Seed (recommended): Unlike other varieties, this line of zinnia may benefit from being directly sown. This decreases the chances of transplant shock, which in turn increases the odds of producing the desired "cupcake" blooms. Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost. For a prolonged harvest, succession-sow every two weeks until midsummer.

Transplanting (alternative): If you choose to start seeds indoors, sow into seedling containers 4–6 weeks before the last frost. Cover the seeds, as they require darkness to germinate. A heat mat will help maintain an optimal temperature of 21–24°C. Do not allow plants to become root-bound. Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before transplanting them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Pinching: To encourage strong branching and a more abundant bloom, pinch the initial bud or bloom from the plant when it is young. Continue to deadhead spent flowers throughout the season.

Soil Preference and Watering: Zinnias thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to mildew.

Fertilizing: Zinnias are heavy feeders. Amending the soil with compost before planting is recommended. You can also use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 4–6 weeks to encourage continuous blooming.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest stems when the flowers are fully open but still firm. To check if a zinnia is ready to be harvested, gently shake the stem; if the neck is wobbly, it's not ready. Harvest in the early morning or late evening and immediately place in a vase of water.