Some plants look nice from a distance, while others draw you in the moment you walk past them – and without a doubt – peppermint zinnias are one of those flowers!
One thing is for sure, if you’re looking for a flower that’s easy to grow, incredibly productive, and useful beyond just good looks, peppermint zinnias deserve a spot in your garden this season.
The magnificent annuals truly are one of the easiest ways to add bold color and life to flowerbeds and garden spaces. Not only do they bloom nonstop all summer long, but they also bring pollinators into the garden. All while helping reduce pest pressure naturally as well!
What Are Peppermint Zinnias?
Peppermint zinnias are a striking variety of zinnia known for their marbled and speckled petals. Each bloom features a mix of creamy white, soft yellow, red, pink, and coral tones splashed across the petals in a way that makes no two flowers look the same.
Some blooms have fine flecks of color, while others look boldly brushed with red or pink streaks. They are typically part of a zinnia mix rather than a single uniform color, which is part of what makes them so exciting to grow.
You never quite know what the next bloom will look like, and that surprise factor keeps the garden interesting all season long.
Peppermint zinnias are usually taller than many other flowering annuals. In fact, they often reach a staggering 24 to 36 inches in height. That makes them perfect for filling the middle or back of flowerbeds, lining fences, or adding height to garden borders.
Fast Growing – And Big Blooming!
One of the best attributes of peppermint zinnias is how fast they grow. Once planted, they waste no time getting established. In just a few weeks, you’ll see sturdy stems, healthy foliage, and the promise of buds forming.
Zinnias thrive in warm weather, and peppermint zinnias are no exception. They love sunshine and heat. The hotter the summer gets, the more they will shine. While some flowers fade or struggle in mid-summer, zinnias continue pushing out blooms right through the hottest days.
As long as you keep cutting flowers or removing spent blooms, peppermint zinnias will keep producing. Blooming usually starts in late spring to early summer. And they will continue blooming right until your first frost. They also tolerate less-than-perfect soil surprisingly well, making them a great choice for newer garden areas or areas with poor soil.
The Perfect Partner In Gardens & Flowerbeds
Peppermint zinnias have an amazing ability to attract pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects flock to zinnias for their easy-to-access nectar. Butterflies, in particular, love landing on the wide, open blooms.
By attracting pollinators, peppermint zinnias help improve pollination throughout the entire garden. That means better fruit set on vegetables and more flowers on your annuals and perennials.
Peppermint zinnias also play an important role in pest control. While they don’t eliminate pests entirely, they help reduce problems naturally by attracting beneficial insects that feed on common garden pests.
Ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are all drawn to flowering plants like zinnias. These beneficial insects help keep aphids, caterpillars, and other damaging pests in check. For more on this, see: 3 Great Reasons To Plant Zinnias In Your Garden – The Perfect Companion Plant!
How To Plant Peppermint Zinnias From Seed
Growing peppermint zinnias from seed is incredibly easy. The seeds are large enough to handle easily, and they germinate quickly. Affiliate Link: Seed Needs, Peppermint Stick Zinnia Seeds – 250 Heirloom Seeds
Zinnias should be planted after all danger of frost has passed. They prefer warm soil, so waiting until late spring usually leads to faster and stronger growth. Seeds can be planted directly into the soil. In fact, it’s best not to try to grow as a transplant as they do not handle transplanting well.
Plant seeds about a quarter inch deep and space them roughly four to six inches apart. If planting in rows or clusters, give them enough room so air can move freely between plants. This helps prevent disease later in the season.
Water the soil gently after planting and keep it slightly moist until seedlings emerge. Zinnias will usually germinate within 7 to 10 days of seeding.
Ongoing Care
Peppermint zinnias love full sun. The more sunlight they receive, the stronger and more productive they will be. Try to plant them where they will at least get six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
They prefer well-draining soil but are not overly picky. Average garden soil works just fine, especially if it has been amended with compost. Too many nutrients can actually lead to more leaves and fewer flowers, so avoid in season fertilizing. One thing that is important is mulch. A thick four inch layer of mulch will conserve moisture and help reduce competing weeds.
Good drainage is also important. Zinnias don’t like sitting in soggy soil. Raised beds or slightly elevated planting areas work well if drainage is a concern. Once established, peppermint zinnias are fairly drought tolerant. Water deeply but less often, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. This encourages deeper root growth and stronger plants.
Deadheading & Encouraging More Blooms
One of the keys to keeping peppermint zinnias blooming all season long is deadheading. Removing spent flowers tells the plant to keep producing instead of going to seed. You can actually cut blooms regularly for indoor arrangements, which naturally keeps plants productive.
Even if you don’t cut flowers, simply pinching off faded blooms makes a noticeable difference. The more you harvest or deadhead, the more flowers you’ll get. It’s one of those rare gardening tasks that feels more like a reward than a chore!
Peppermint zinnias truly offer the best of everything a gardener could want. They are easy to grow, incredibly beautiful, and useful in ways that go far beyond looks!
Simple Garden Life
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.