Orange Cactus Zinnia glows with a unique tangerine tone that commands attention in any garden. These extra-large blooms are pure drama, with slender, slightly recurved petals that give them a distinctive cactus-like appearance and reach an impressive 4 to 6 inches across. Plants grow 24 to 36 inches tall and flower reliably in 75 to 90 days, making them a rewarding annual for gardeners in zones 2 through 11. They're radiant pollinator attractors and shine equally well in the landscape or as cut flowers.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
36in H x ?in W
—
High
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The tangerine blooms glow with an intensity that photographs beautifully and catches every eye in the garden. Those slender, slightly recurved petals give each flower a sophisticated, almost architectural quality that sets them apart from typical round zinnia forms. At 4 to 6 inches across, these are genuinely large flowers on sturdy 2 to 3 foot plants that reach maturity in just 75 to 90 days, rewarding you with months of cutting material and pollinator visits.
Orange Cactus Zinnia shines in the cut garden, where those large tangerine blooms last well in arrangements and bring warmth to any bouquet. In the landscape, the plants serve as radiant pollinator attractors, drawing bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. Their size and color make them excellent focal points in beds and borders.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date, keeping the soil at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Sow at 1/4 inch depth and expect seedlings to emerge in 4 to 6 days.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed. Space plants 9 inches apart in a location with 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow 1/4 inch deep and thin seedlings to 9 inches apart as they grow.
Harvest cactus zinnia flowers for cutting when blooms are fully open and petals are firm. Cut stems early in the morning or late in the day when hydration is highest, cutting at least 6 inches down the stem. The more you cut, the more blooms the plant will produce throughout the season.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Pinching back young plants when they reach 6 inches tall promotes bushier growth and more prolific flowering.
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