Named for Dr. Johann Gottfried Zinn, who wrote the first description of the flower, the genus Zinnia had to wait for the late 19th century to become more successful as a garden annual. Zinnias come in various heights and flower forms. They are easy, fun and colorful to grow in any garden with sun. Breakthrough zinnias . Starting from seed .
Zinnias are easy to start from seeds, indoors or outdoors.
The seeds of most of them are a good size, too, so they're a perfect choice for a child to sow in the garden as well. Buying Potted Plants . Select plants with fairly compact growth and good branching. If you can't plant the zinnias the day you bring them home, water them well and set them under a tree or patio cover where they'll be protected from the drying effect of direct sun. Zinnias grow best in full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sun daily.