Zinnias are known for their easy-growing flowers that bloom heavily. This plant only blooms for one season and produces seeds so that a new plant can grow in the place of the old one.
Zinnias have bright, daisy-like flowers that blossom on a single stem. They look great in a flower vase and can even be used as food for butterflies.
To place Zinnias blossoms in a vase, you need to prune them and make sure the plant does not get hurt in any way.
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How to Prune Zinnias
Zinnias are known to grow an abundance of flowers if they are pruned or trimmed regularly. To prune your Zinnias, you must first make sure that the plant is at least 8 to 12 inches tall (20-30cm). Another factor to take into account the time of the day. It’s better to prune Zinnias in the morning rather than in the afternoon because sun rays are less harsh in the morning. When you prune your Zinnia, make sure to use sterilized shears and cut off the top of the plant that is four inches below the leaves.
Detailed Zinnias Pruning Instructions
Zinnias tend to thrive if they are properly pruned. This action promotes plant growth. Zinnia pruning is simple, but you need to keep in mind a few things so you do not damage your plant.
The first thing to remember is never to prune off all the large portions of your plant. This has negative implications on the growth of the Zinnias.
It can be tempting to cut Zinnias that are in full bloom since the plant starts to droop due to the weight of the flower.
But instead of removing all of the big flowers of your plant, provide it with some form of support.
Rather than pruning off all the large flowers of your plant, try cutting off only a few of them.
Cutting off a few flowers from your plant will make space for more flowers to bloom in its place.
For proper pruning wear garden gloves and handle the stem gently. If the stem feels firm, then it can be cut, but if it isn’t firm, you must not cut it.
When you prune off an area of your plant, make sure you are using sterilized tools and are cutting the stem four-inches below the leaves.
You can either trim a single stem off or take off two medium-sized stems altogether.
Cutting two medium-sized stems together will result in the growth of multiple flowers. Simply follow down one stem and check if it connects to another one.
Cut off the two stems from where they join so that the plant grows to become bushier. Zinnias are annual plants, so once they have bloomed, you will need to replant them.
You can also let the plant grow its last flowers of the season and allow them to scatter its seeds before they die.
Thoroughly inspect your plant to check for any brown or wilting flower. This is another sign that you need to prune your Zinnia.
You should pinch back your plant when it’s still young as it allows for it to grow long stems in the future. Deadheading is the key to colorful bushy blooms.
If you prune the lower stems of your Zinnia, the plant will grow lower to the ground. But if you prune the higher stems on your Zinnia, your Zinnia will grow higher from the ground.
Whether you choose to prune your Zinnia lower or higher from the ground won’t matter much since Zinnias are resilient.
Basic Care for Pruned Zinnias
Once your Zinnia has been pruned, you need to make sure it is watered properly. Having a proper watering schedule will determine how your plant grows.
It is best to water your Zinnia in the morning. This is because watering your Zinnias in the evening will not allow the leaves to dry up.
Suppose your Zinnia stays wet for a prolonged period of time. In this case, there’s a high chance of it developing fungal diseases.
When you water your Zinnia in the morning, it ensures that by the evening, your plant’s leaves will not have any water left on them.
Zinnias have many varieties, and some of them can grow really tall. If you plant a variety of Zinnia that grows tall, then you will need to provide it with support once it grows.
You can fix a stake in the soil and place it close to the plant stem. Leave a few inches between the plant and the stake; this way, the Zinnia has room to grow.
Tools Used for Pruning Zinnias
Secateurs
Secateurs or pruning shears are a common tool used by indoor house plant owners and even vegetable garden enthusiasts.
When you purchase a secateur, you need to look into the manufacturing quality and the size range provided. It is important to choose the right model that fits your hand size.
Using large secateurs can cause strain on your hand. It is also important for you to be able to operate the safety catch, so test out the tool before you purchase it.
There are also left-handed secateurs available on the market for left-handed people. Secateurs are also known to have different types of blades.
Bypass secateur has two blades and works similarly to a scissor. The blades on this type of secateurs pass each other to cut your plant, and this is why it’s more suitable for cutting delicate stems.
The second type of blade can be found on the anvil secateur. It has one blade which closes on a flat surface.
This type of blade is only good for cutting hard stems since the blade does not stick to a delicate stem
Garden Scissors
Gardening scissors are the most common gardening tool and can be found in almost every house. This tool is great for trimming small stems.
There are also different types of gardening scissors, such as the big softy scissors, which are used to cut flowers. These scissors are also used for deadheading plants that have thin stems, and they have a long reach.
Another type of gardening scissor is the cur and hold flower gatherer. This type of scissors is lightweight and can be used for deadheading or cutting flowers of tall plants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pruning Zinnias
Can leggy Zinnias be pruned?
Leggy Zinnias can be pruned. You simply have to pinch back the Zinnia plant if it starts to become too leggy and remove any wilting flowers to promote growth.
Will my Zinnia bloom again if I prune it?
Pruning your Zinnias promotes even more growth of flowers on the plant. So, if you cut the flower on your Zinnia, more will grow.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.