Zinnia angustifolia
This species is the narrowleaf or creeping zinnia grown as a compact annual. It stands out for continuous bloom and tidy mounds. Plants perform best in hot, sunny sites and tolerate drier soils. Single daisies in orange, yellow, white, and mixes cover the plant. It is useful at edging and in containers. It is native to Mexico and the southern United States in some accounts.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: annual species
- Height × spread: 8 to 16 in (20 to 40 cm) × 9 to 12 in (23 to 30 cm)
- Bloom window: June to frost
- Color & flower form: orange to yellow to white; mostly single daisy
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in all zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Lower, tighter mound than typical garden zinnia
- Often better heat and drought tolerance
- Usually less prone to powdery mildew than Z. elegans
- Smaller flowers suited to edging rather than tall cuts
Strengths
- Reliable bloom in heat
- Good disease resistance noted in trials
- Handles light drought once established
- Neat habit for containers and edging
Care in one minute
- Full sun for strongest bloom.
- Soil: well‑drained; tolerates lean conditions.
- Water deeply then allow the surface to dry.
- Fertilize lightly; excess nitrogen reduces flowering.
- Deadheading is optional; plants self‑clean fairly well.
- Frost ends the display; re‑sow after last frost.
Watch‑outs
- Can thin in persistently wet, heavy soils
- Color range is narrower than Z. elegans giants
Best uses (tags)
borders, edging, containers, heat‑tolerant, pollinators
Provenance note
Wild species native to Mexico; commonly sold for hot‑summer bedding.
References
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder – Zinnia angustifolia
Kew – Plants of the World Online: Zinnia angustifolia
ASPCA – Zinnia (non‑toxic to pets)
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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