Zinnia Meteor
$4.95
Zinnia Elegans
- Seed Count 200
- Large Double Flowers
- Annual
- Height 80 cm
In stock
Description
Zinnia Meteor with its deeply saturated red blooms and tall, sturdy presence, it’s the kind of flower that stops people in their tracks. Whether you’re building a cutting garden, filling out summer borders, or just craving a fuss-free splash of colour, this old-fashioned favourite has all the charm and performance you could ask for.
Zinnia Meteor is a large dahlia-flowered variety with a strong and statuesque growth habit. Its double blooms measure a generous 10 to 12 centimeters across and are packed tightly with velvety petals that form a full, rounded pompom shape. The rich red colouring is luxurious and right at the centre, a subtle greenish-yellow eye peeks through, giving the bloom a little lift and sparkle.
Each flower is borne on a long, strong stem that holds itself upright without flopping or bending under the weight of the bloom. You can expect blooms right through the warmer months, too. With a little attention to deadheading these plants will reward you with flush after flush of fresh colour from mid-summer right into autumn.
Zinnia ‘Meteor’ represents the best of that evolution. It combines old-school resilience with a new level of beauty. In fact, the popularity of this variety speaks to a wider revival of interest in Zinnias altogether. For a time, they fell out of fashion—overshadowed by more ‘modern’ blooms or forgotten in the trend toward wildflower meadows and naturalistic planting. But now, they’re back—and they’re making a statement. Gardeners are rediscovering their value, not just for their looks but for how incredibly easy and reliable they are.
Zinnias are especially beloved in the cutting garden. They grow quickly, bloom heavily, and have that magic combination of bright colour and long vase life. Even a small planting can supply a season’s worth of fresh flowers for the house. And unlike some cut flowers that need kid gloves and perfect conditions, Zinnias are sturdy little workhorses. They’ll keep flowering right through the season, especially if given a bit of encouragement with regular picking or deadheading.
The bold, open blooms are a magnet for pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects flock to them, making them a wonderful addition to any mixed bed or vegetable patch where insect activity is encouraged. For gardeners who are trying to create a more balanced, buzzing, biodiverse backyard, these blooms are a real asset.
It’s also worth mentioning that Zinnia Meteor is forgiving when it comes to soil. While it will thrive best in a well-drained, sunny position—as most annuals prefer—it’s also tolerant of average soils and less-than-perfect conditions. That makes it a wonderful flower for beginner gardeners, or for those working with difficult spots where other plants might struggle.
From a design perspective, it’s rich red colour is incredibly useful. It pairs well with warm tones like gold, orange, and red, but also offers a gorgeous contrast to softer hues like blush pink, pale yellow, or even blue. In arrangements, it adds drama and contrast. In the garden, it brings depth and weight, helping to anchor brighter, lighter blooms nearby.
All in all, Zinnia Meteor is the kind of flower that earns its place season after season. It’s beautiful without being fussy, reliable without being boring, and generous in a way that only truly good garden plants are. Whether you’re planting for cut flowers, garden colour, or pollinator support, this is one variety that will deliver—and then some.
| Method: Sow direct | Soil Temp: 20°C - 30°C |
| Cool Mountain: Sep - Nov | Position: Full sun |
| Arid: Sep - Nov | Row Spacing: 30cm apart |
| Temperate: Jul - Feb | Planting Depth: 3mm |
| Sub Tropical: May to Oct | Harvest: 350 days |
| Tropical: May | Plant Height: 80 cm |
There’s something magical about zinnias—those bold, bright blooms that thrive in the heat and seem to laugh in the face of neglect. They’re not just easy to grow, they’re generous, bringing colour, pollinators, and cut flower joy all in one fuss-free package.
🪴 Sowing Zinnia – Trays vs. Direct in the Garden
Zinnias can be sown directly into the garden or started in trays, and the choice often depends on your climate and your gardening style.
🌱 Sowing in Trays
Starting in trays gives you more control, especially in cooler parts of Australia or when you want to get a head start on the season. Here’s how:
- Sow 1–2 seeds per cell in a good-quality seed-raising mix.
- Keep trays warm and lightly moist—zinnias germinate best at 21–26°C.
- Germination usually takes 5–7 days.
- Transplant out when seedlings have 2–3 true leaves and the weather is reliably warm.
Best for: Cooler zones (temperate, cool, and cold) or gardeners wanting neat spacing and stronger seedlings.
🌼 Direct Sowing
Zinnias love warm soil, so wait until all chance of frost has passed. Direct sowing suits subtropical and tropical areas or warm, settled spring weather elsewhere.
- Sow 6mm deep, spacing seeds 20–30cm apart.
- Thin once seedlings are up.
- Water gently but consistently until established.
Best for: Warm climates or informal, wild-style gardens where spacing doesn’t need to be perfect.
🧂 Is Any Seed Pre-Treatment Required?
No special treatment is needed—zinnia seeds are ready to sow as they are. However, soaking them for 4–6 hours can speed up germination if your soil is on the dry side or temps are lower than ideal.
🌞 Soil & Position
Zinnias are sun lovers and thrive in full sun (6+ hours daily).
Soil Preferences:
- Well-drained is key—zinnias hate soggy roots.
- Enrich the soil with compost or aged manure before planting.
- A pH of 6.0–7.5 is ideal.
- Avoid overfeeding—too much nitrogen = all leaves, few blooms.
💡 Tip: Raised beds or borders with plenty of organic matter work beautifully.
🌿 Care & Maintenance
Zinnias don’t ask for much, but a little care goes a long way:
Watering:
- Water at the base to avoid fungal issues on leaves.
- Deep water once or twice a week, depending on heat and rainfall.
Feeding:
- Light feed with seaweed or compost tea every 3–4 weeks.
- Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
Pruning & Deadheading:
- Pinch out young plants when 15–20cm tall for bushier growth.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
- Harvest regularly to prolong flowering.
🌺 Companion Planting Guide
Zinnias aren’t just pretty—they’re powerhouses in companion planting.
| Companion | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Attracts pollinators and deters pests like whiteflies. |
| Cucumbers | Lures in beneficial insects. |
| Basil | Repels pests and boosts flavour in nearby crops. |
| Carrots | Similar soil and sun needs; adds colour to utilitarian beds. |
| Beans | Complements nitrogen-fixers with colour and pest control. |
Avoid crowding them with very tall or shady crops—zinnias need their sunbathing!
✂️ Harvesting Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the best cut-and-come-again flowers. The more you pick, the more you get!
- Harvest in the morning when stems are firm.
- Use the “wiggle test”: if the stem is stiff, it’s ready. If it bends easily, leave it a bit longer.
- Cut just above a leaf node to encourage new growth.
Flowers last 7–10 days in the vase with clean water and a quick recut every few days.
🐛 Common Issues & Fixes
| Issue | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve airflow, water at soil level, use neem or milk spray |
| Aphids | Sticky residue, distorted leaves | Blast with hose, introduce ladybugs, use insecticidal soap |
| Botrytis (grey mould) | Grey fuzz on blooms | Remove affected flowers, space plants, avoid overhead watering |
| Leggy growth | Plants fall over, few blooms | Pinch tips early, provide more sun, reduce nitrogen |
| Damping off | Seedlings collapse at base | Use sterile trays, don’t overwater, good air circulation |
🌻 Seed Saving Guide
Saving zinnia seeds is easy and satisfying—a great habit if you want to grow your favourites again and again.
How-To:
- Choose healthy, open-pollinated plants.
- Allow flowers to fully mature and dry on the plant.
- When petals are brown and dry, snip the head and gently pull apart.
- Zinnia seeds are small, arrow-shaped, and sit inside the base of each petal.
- Dry thoroughly on a tray for 1–2 weeks in a cool, dry spot.
- Store in a paper envelope or glass jar, labelled with variety and date.
Seeds stay viable for 3–5 years when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
🌼 Final Thoughts
Zinnias are a gift to the garden—cheerful, hard-working, and incredibly giving. They’re the kind of flower that meets you where you are. Want bold colour in a veggie bed? Zinnias will show up. Need easy blooms to fill gaps in your borders? Zinnias are on it. Want flowers for cutting every week through summer? Zinnias, again.
Whether you grow them for beauty, for bees, or for bouquets, zinnias are one of those plants that always give more than they take. So go on—sow a little colour. Your summer self will thank you.
🌸 Happy growing!
Postage Charge
Orders under $35 attract a $4.95 shipping charge. Orders $35 and above have free shipping.
Order Times
Seed orders are normally dispatched within three business days. You will receive an email when seeds are mailed out.
Postage Days
Seeds are mailed out Tuesday to Friday at 1pm. Except for the Friday of long weekends.
Postage Times
WA 2-3 Days: SA,NT 3-5 Days: NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC: 5-7 Days
Carrier
We use Australia Post Letter Postage for the majority of orders
Not only are our seeds packed in recycled paper envelopes, we keep the theme going when we post out website orders. To protect your seeds from moisture and the letter box munchers (snails), we use a very special plastic free material made from plants. They are then put into recycled mailing envelopes. Green all the way 💚🌿
Delivery Guarantee
We take great care to make sure your seeds arrive safely. If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we’ll happily send a replacement. Unfortunately, we can’t replace or refund orders that arrive later than the estimated delivery date, as delays can sometimes occur that are outside our control.
Please note that all dispatch and delivery times listed are estimates only. While we do our best to post promptly, delivery timeframes can vary due to postal service delays, weather events, or other unforeseen circumstances. We’re unable to take responsibility for any loss, damage, or cost that results from a late delivery.
An order is not considered missing until at least 20 business days have passed from the postage date. You’ll receive an email once your seeds have been posted, letting you know they’re on their way. If you don’t see it in your main inbox, please check your Spam or Promotions folders as sometimes our emails like to hide there.
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