Zinnia 'State Fair' Mix

State Fair Mix (Zinnia elegans)

State Fair Mix Zinnia is a nostalgic celebration of old-fashioned charm, producing tall, vigorous plants with large, dahlia-type blooms measuring 3–5 inches across. Both fully double and semi-double flowers create a lively, textured display in garden beds, borders, or cutting gardens. This mix leans heavily on rich reds and purples, while also offering scarlet, rose, salmon, orange, yellow, white, lavender, and other shades. Colour mix is not guaranteed, giving each garden and bouquet a uniquely playful and whimsical character. Long, sturdy stems make these blooms ideal for cutting and arranging, bringing classic charm and cheer indoors.

Highly productive and resilient, State Fair Mix thrives in sun and heat, rewarding gardeners with multiple harvests over the season. Its cut-and-come-again habit, combined with the blooms’ appeal to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, makes it a lively, sustainable addition to the garden. Pair with soft pastels or deep jewel tones for contrast, or let the mixed colours dominate for a festive, garden-fresh display. A timeless choice for gardeners seeking abundance, colour, and pollinator-friendly charm.

DETAILS:

QTY: 25

TYPE: Annual

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: 1/4"

GERMINATION: 5-7 days at 21-24°C

HEIGHT: 25-32”

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.