3 Things I Don’t Do When Planting Zinnias (And Why They Still Thrive)

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the “rules” of gardening… this is your permission slip to relax a little.

Because when it comes to growing zinnias, I’ll be honest, I don’t follow most of them.

In fact, some of the things I don’t do are exactly why my zinnias thrive every single summer here in Colorado.

My approach is simple, low-maintenance, and very on brand for my Lazy Girl’s Garden Club: keep it easy, keep it fun, and don’t overthink it.

So today I’m sharing 3 things I don’t do when planting zinnias… and why you might not need to either.

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1. I DON’T Follow Spacing Rules

Let’s start with the one that shocks people the most…

I don’t follow spacing recommendations when planting my zinnia seeds.

Most seed packets will tell you to carefully space everything out but I do the opposite. I overseed.

And honestly? It works.

*Check out my curated seed collections with Dollar Heirloom here!

The zinnias grow close together, creating this full, lush look that I absolutely love. And while yes, you can thin them out later… I rarely do.

It’s one less step, and my garden still ends up bursting with blooms.

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2. I DON’T Stake or Support Them

This one goes hand-in-hand with overcrowding.

Because my zinnias are planted closely together, they naturally support each other as they grow.

Instead of tall, floppy stems that need staking, mine grow in a dense patch that holds itself upright.

No cages. No stakes. No extra effort.

And for me, that’s a win.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of supporting flowers, this is your reminder that sometimes simpler really is better.

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3. I DON’T Start Them Indoors

I know starting seeds indoors is popular… but I skip it completely when it comes to zinnias.

Zinnias love warm soil, so I wait until after my last frost and plant them directly into my raised beds.

Here in Zone 5b, that means:

• Soil temps warming up
• Nighttime temps consistently in the 50s

Once those conditions hit, I scatter my seeds and let nature take over.

No grow lights.
No seed trays.
No extra supplies.

It saves time, money, and honestly it just feels easier.

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Bonus: I DON’T Do This Alone

One thing I will never skip?

Asking for help.

Gardening doesn’t have to be something you figure out all on your own. Some of my best tips have come from other gardeners who were willing to share what’s worked for them.

Whether it’s a friend, your local garden center, or someone you follow online don’t be afraid to ask questions.

There truly are no silly ones.

A Few of My Faves

• Kim from Shiplap and Shells
• Charla from Gardening With Charla
• Danielle from Maggie’s Farm Nola
• Ann from Old Castle Cottage

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3 Things I Don’t Do When Planting Zinnias (And Why They Still Thrive)

If you take anything from this, let it be this:

You don’t have to follow every gardening rule to grow something beautiful.

Zinnias are one of the most forgiving, beginner-friendly flowers out there and they thrive when you keep things simple.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to just plant the seeds and see what happens…

This is it.

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Want My Full Zinnia System?

If you’re ready to go a little deeper, I walk you through my entire “lazy girl” method—from planting to blooms in my Lazy Girl’s Guide to Growing Zinnias.

It’s simple, beginner-friendly, and designed to take the guesswork out of growing flowers you’ll actually love to cut and enjoy.

I’d love to have you hang out with me some more! Feel free to follow along with me on any of the platforms linked below.

LTK | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Amazon

xoxo,

Kelly