Zinnia 'Polar Bear'

Polar Bear (Zinnia elegans)

Polar Bear Zinnia showcases creamy white blooms atop tall, straight stems, creating a classic and elegant display in garden beds, borders, or cutting gardens. Flowers appear continuously from summer through fall, bringing long-lasting beauty and attracting butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinators. Its pure, luminous flowers provide a serene backdrop that pairs beautifully with soft pastels, bright corals, or deep jewel tones, making it a favourite for both bouquets and floral arrangements.

Vigorous and resilient, Polar Bear thrives in warm, sunny conditions and keeps producing new stems and blossoms with regular harvesting. Its cut-and-come-again habit ensures multiple harvests over the season, offering excellent vase life. Ideal for mass plantings or larger containers, it combines effortless charm with reliable performance, making it a favourite of florists, crafters, and gardeners seeking timeless, versatile blooms.

DETAILS:

QTY: 25

TYPE: Annual

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: 1/4"

GERMINATION: 5-7 days at 21-24°C

HEIGHT: 36-48”

MATURITY: 75-90 days

SPACING: 9-12”

PINCH: When 12” tall


HOW TO GROW:
Indoors (recommended): Sow seeds 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. Lower temperatures will result in slower germination. 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.

Direct Seed (alternative): Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost. For a prolonged harvest, succession-sow every two weeks until midsummer.

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.