5 Zinnia Varieties That Grow the Biggest Blooms (Perfect for Cut Flower Gardens)
When I first started growing flowers, I honestly thought a zinnia was just a zinnia. I’d plant a packet of seeds and hope for the best. Some years I got small daisy-like blooms, and other years I would stumble upon a variety that produced those big, fluffy, bouquet-worthy flowers you see in flower farm arrangements.
That’s when I realized something important: the variety you plant makes a huge difference in the size of your blooms.
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Over the years I’ve tested quite a few types in my own cut flower garden, and today I want to share the five zinnia varieties that consistently produce the biggest blooms and longest stems. These are the ones that really shine in bouquets and make you feel like a flower farmer right in your own backyard. If you’re planning your garden this year and want those big statement flowers, these are the zinnias I would absolutely recommend growing.
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What Zinnia Varieties Produce the Biggest Blooms?
Some zinnia varieties are specifically bred to produce larger blooms and longer stems, which makes them perfect for cut flower gardens. The zinnia varieties known for producing the biggest blooms include Benary’s Giant, California Giant, State Fair, Ballerina, and Agave because they produce large double flowers and long stems perfect for cutting. See the exact seeds I’m growing this year!
These varieties typically have:
• Tall plants
• Strong stems
• Double or dahlia-style blooms
• Flowers that can reach 4–5 inches across
The result? Big, beautiful flowers that look amazing in bouquets. Below are five of my favorite varieties that consistently grow large, show-stopping blooms.
1. Benary’s Giant Zinnias (my top choice)
If you ever talk to flower farmers and hobby gardeners like me about zinnias, chances are they will mention Benary’s Giant. Although these are not heirloom zinnias they are bred to be disease resistant, meaning powdery mildew is less common. This is a big YES for me!
This variety is famous for producing huge 4–5 inch blooms on strong, sturdy stems that are perfect for cutting. The flowers are fully double (which I love!) and come in a gorgeous range of colors including pink, coral, white, orange, and deep red. BONUS: These can be ordered in specific colors and not just a mix bag!
I’ve been growing Benary’s Giant zinnias in my garden for several years now, and they are always incredibly reliable. They germinate easily, grow tall, and produce bloom after bloom all summer long.
If you’re new to growing zinnias and want a variety that performs beautifully, Benary’s Giant is a fantastic place to start and my top choice.
2. California Giant Zinnias
Another classic favorite for large blooms is the California Giant zinnia.
This variety has been around for a long time which makes it an heirloom variety and they remain one of the most popular choices for gardeners who want big colorful flowers in their garden. These are typically sold in a mix of colors.
California Giants produce tall plants with large, bold blooms in vibrant colors that really stand out in bouquets. What I have noticed is that their blooms are more “daisy like” having single petals more often than double. They’re also incredibly beginner-friendly, which makes them a great choice if you’re just starting your cut flower garden.
I’ve been growing California Giants alongside my Benary varieties for several years, and they always deliver bright, cheerful blooms all season long. They mix in well and have incredible vase life.
3. State Fair Zinnias
State Fair zinnias are heirloom zinnias as well and another fantastic option if you’re looking for large zinnia blooms and strong stems. Last year was the first year I grew them after seeing a local friend grow them. I am SO glad I did! I will grow them every year.
As the name suggests, these flowers have that big, colorful look you might see at a county fair flower show. The blooms are large, have double full petals, are vibrant, and come in a beautiful mix of colors.
State Fair zinnias grow tall ( but not as tall as Benary’s or California Giants) and produce blooms that are perfect for cutting and arranging in bouquets. They add a lot of cheerful color to the garden and mix beautifully with other summer flowers.
If you love the look of classic zinnias but want big statement flowers, this variety is definitely worth growing!
4. Ballerina Zinnias (Johnny’s Seeds)
Last year was my first year growing Ballerina zinnias, and I absolutely fell in love with them.
These flowers have a unique look compared to traditional zinnias. Their petals are long and airy, almost like little fireworks bursting open. The blooms have a beautiful, whimsical texture that adds so much interest to a bouquet. They are softer pastel in color and have HUGE blooms the size of the top of my coffee cup and sometimes bigger when left on their stems longer!
While they still grow nice large flowers, the real magic of Ballerina zinnias is the movement and texture they bring to arrangements. I loved them so much that they immediately earned a spot on my seed order again this year. These are a newer bred variety from Johnny Seeds and you can find them HERE! *Note they also have a new variety called Linen that I am trying this year too!
5. Agave Zinnias (Johnny’s Seeds)
Another new favorite I discovered last year is the Agave zinnia series also from Johnny’s Seeds.
These flowers produce beautiful double blooms that almost resemble a cactus like zinnia. The petals are skinny and unique, quirky shaped flower head that looks gorgeous in arrangements. Or maybe I should say they have curly edged petals? They are pretty muted sunset tones!
Agave zinnias have strong stems and beautiful coloring, which makes them wonderful for cutting gardens and bouquets. Just like the Ballerina variety, I enjoyed them so much in my garden last year that I had to order them again for this season.
If you’re looking for a zinnia that has that quirky, romantic and unique flower look, Agave is a fantastic choice. See them on Johnny’s Seeds site here.
Tips for Growing Bigger Zinnia Blooms
If you want your zinnias to produce their biggest and best flowers, a few simple growing tips can make a big difference. I have a post all about how to grow colorful zinnias from seed that will go more in depth as well, but below are a few more tips to get you started!
Plant in Full Sun
Zinnias love sunshine and perform best with 6–8 hours of direct sun each day.
Spacing vs. Not Spacing
Proper spacing typically allows plants to grow strong stems and larger blooms and allows for ventilation and hence less diseases. However, I don’t follow the spacing rules and I truly feel (and my flowers have shown) that they grow stronger stems, get taller and the blooms are huge because they are fighting for the sun. Powdery mildew does happen but not until the end of the season. So I say try both methods and see what works for you. I like the full cottage flower look as seen in the image of one of my beds below.
Pinch Your Plants Early
Pinching encourages branching, which means more stems and more flowers. But I will say that you DO NOT have to do this at all. I very rarely pinch because I plant way too many and I still get huge blooms and stems. Another reason why I love zinnias…they are flexible and forgiving!
Cut Flowers Often
Ok this one is SO TRUE! The more you harvest (cut) zinnias, the more they produce. Regular cutting actually encourages the plants to keep blooming. At a certain point I am cutting so much and can barely keep up. Read this post on where and when to cut them! That is one of the reasons why I started Free Flower Friday!
Start With Healthy Soil
Good soil gives your plants the nutrients they need to produce big healthy blooms. In this post I share what to fill your raised bed with!
Tell Me Your Best Zinnia Varieties for Big Blooms
Hopefully this was a helpful post as you look for which zinnia varieties offer the biggest blooms! Do you have a favorite variety of zinnias that have big blooms? Leave a comment below and let me know so I can add them to my list!
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