How to Grow Zinnia From Cuttings

Growing zinnias from stem cuttings is an easy propagation method to get new plants. The cuttings can be rooted in water and will be ready for planting in just a few weeks.

Also see 7 Best Tips For Growing Zinnias to learn about best growing conditions, pinching, deadheading, and seed saving.

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Propagating Zinnia Cuttings

Zinnias are loved by so many gardeners because these sun-loving annuals produce gorgeous flowers with a long bloom cycle, grow more prolifically with pinching, and root readily from cuttings.

You can grow zinnias from seed or use the instructions below to start new plants from stem cuttings.

Contents

• What Is a Stem Cutting?
• How to Grow Zinnia Cuttings
  • When Should I Take Cuttings?
  • Steps
• Planting Rooted Zinnia Cuttings
  • Planting in the Ground
  • Planting in Containers
  • Can I Grow Zinnias Indoors?
• Resources | Recommended Books

What Is a Stem Cutting?

Before we get started propagating zinnia cuttings, it’s good to understand what a stem cutting is so you know exactly which part of the plant can grow roots.

A stem cutting is a piece of stem specifically chosen to root and grow into a new plant. When we propagate this way it is “vegetative” not “sexual” reproduction because we’re simply taking an existing piece of the plant (a “clone”) and growing it separately. No flowering or pollination is required.

On zinnias, the plant has one or more stems. When the plants are young you may notice the stems are slightly hairy. That’s normal.

You’ll also notice the leaves, which grow opposite one another, are “sessile” meaning they attach directly to the stems without their own stalks or peduncles.

On zinnias, it’s this area of the stem where the leaves grow that is capable of also growing roots.

What other flowers I grow from stem cuttings?

Along with zinnias, you propagate begonias, marigolds, and more this way. This has a list of 12 flowering annuals you can grow from stem cuttings.

If you have native plants, there are 20 Native Plants You Can Grow From Cuttings.

How to Take Zinnia Cuttings

When Should I Take Zinnia Cuttings?

While you can do it any time, it’s the younger cuttings that tend to do better. And you want to allow enough time for the cutting to grow, bud, and flower before the cold weather sets in.

Many gardeners take cuttings for rooting when pinching back their zinnias.

To take cuttings, it’s ideal to wait until your plant has at least 8 to 12-inches of stem with several sets of leaves but is not yet budding or flowering.

This method is similar to the one used to take softwood cuttings from plants like coleus, geraniums (Pelargoniums), and viburnum.

Steps

Select a stem with several sets of leaves.

The top of the stem is the tip. The place you will make your cut is the base.

In this example we choose a stem with three sets of leaves.

Cut the base of the stem from the plant by making your cut just below the lowest leaf set, making a diagonal cut if you can.

Gently remove the lowest leaves by clipping or pinching them off at the stem.

Place the base of the stem in warm water so the lower two inches are submerged. There should not be any leaves in the water.

Keep in a warm, sheltered location (75°F | 24°C), out of direct sun.

Change the water every day or two.

Roots should appear within 5 to 10 days.

This next image shows the roots after the cutting has been sitting in water for two weeks. You’ll notice a new little leaf also formed at the node. You may also get a few roots further up the stem.

Planting Zinnia Cuttings

You can plant your rooted cuttings in potting mix in containers or directly in the ground if your soil is suitable.

The top of the roots should be approximately one half-inch (just over a cm) below the soil surface.

Because zinnias can be fussy about changes—especially sudden exposure to intense sun—I prefer transplanting into containers to allow gradual transition to the new location, much the same way we “harden off” seedlings in spring.

Planting In the Ground

Plant your rooted cuttings directly in a full sun location with good, fertile soil. Full sun means the site receives at least six hours total of direct sunlight each day—it doesn’t have to be six continuous hours. This explains more on assessing sun conditions in your garden.

If the sun is intense, consider using a shade cloth or some other means to block the heat and light to ease into the new conditions.

Keep watered to ensure the roots do not dry out.

Planting in Containers

As mentioned, you can also grow the cuttings in containers ongoing or for transplanting into the ground later.

Keep in mind that zinnias are sometimes fussy about change, so minimize replanting if you can.

Can I Grow Zinnias Indoors?

Zinnias are not great indoor growers. You may be able to keep them happy by a really sunny window for the summer, but most gardeners say they do so much better outdoors that they would rather grow them there.

You can, however, get short-term blooms indoors.

I took this cutting (below) from a zinnia stem that was just starting to form a bud. I put the cutting in water by a sunny window and two weeks later I got this pint-size flower. It’s about 1/3 the size of an outdoor bloom from the same plant.

It would look very sweet to have a bunch of jars of these tiny blooms lined up on a windowsill.

Resources

Once you try it, it becomes routine to root zinnias and get lots of new plants growing around the garden.

As things bloom, remember to mark your best flowers with a ribbon and leave them for seed saving. This shows how to harvest zinnia seeds.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛