Dahlia-flowered zinnia varieties

Dahlia-flowered zinnias are the tall, fully double zinnias with densely petaled blooms that seed sellers list under the dahlia-flowered name. They are grown from seed as annuals, mostly for cutting. The table below compares every series we list side by side.

Varieties
17
Height
0½–4½ ft (15–132 cm)
Hardiness
Grown as an annual in every zone
Form

17 Dahlia-flowered

Compare all 17 side by side

All 17 dahlia-flowered zinnia varieties

A Aztec Sunset zinnia flower up close on the plant Aztec Sunset Compact Mexican zinnia, 2 inch double bicolor blooms on 6-10 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall6–10 in (15–25 cm)
A Benary's Giant zinnia flower up close on the plant Benary's Giant Cut-flower zinnia series with fully double 4–6 inch blooms on 40–50 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½–4 ft (102–127 cm)
A California Giant zinnia flower up close on the plant California Giant Heirloom zinnia mix with 4-6 inch double flowers on plants 2 to 4 feet tall. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall 2–4 ft (61–122 cm) (estimated)
A Candy Cane zinnia flower up close on the plant Candy Cane Striped double zinnia, 4-inch blooms in pink and cherry on white or gold, 17 to 24 inches. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall1½–2 ft (43–61 cm)
A Dreamland zinnia flower up close on the plant Dreamland Dwarf F1 zinnia series, 3-4 inch blooms on 8-16 inch plants in seven colors. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–16 in (20–41 cm)
A Isabellina zinnia flower up close on the plant Isabellina Heirloom cream-yellow zinnia on 3-4 ft plants, good for cutting. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3–4 ft (91–127 cm)
A Macarenia zinnia flower up close on the plant Macarenia Open-pollinated zinnia, double crimson blooms edged in gold on 2-3 ft plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2–3 ft (61–91 cm)
A Magellan zinnia flower up close on the plant Magellan Dwarf F1 zinnia series with 5 to 6 inch double blooms on 12 to 18 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall12–18 in (30–46 cm)
A Mazurkia zinnia flower up close on the plant Mazurkia Bicolor zinnia, 3 inch double scarlet blooms tipped white, 20 to 30 inches tall. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall1½–2½ ft (51–76 cm)
A Peppermint Stick zinnia flower up close on the plant Peppermint Stick Striped double zinnia mix, 2 to 4 inch blooms with red streaks, about 28 inches tall. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½ ft (71 cm)
A Polar Bear zinnia flower up close on the plant Polar Bear White dahlia-type zinnia, double blooms about 4 inches across, tall stems for cutting. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm)
A Purple Prince zinnia flower up close on the plant Purple Prince Heirloom dahlia-flowered zinnia with amethyst-purple blooms on 30–40 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm)
A Queen Lime zinnia flower up close on the plant Queen Lime Heirloom dahlia-type zinnia with fully double apple green blooms on 30 to 40 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm)
A Short Stuff zinnia flower up close on the plant Short Stuff Dwarf zinnia series with fully double 2.5 to 4 in blooms on 8 to 10 in plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall8–10 in (20–25 cm)
A State Fair zinnia flower up close on the plant State Fair Heirloom zinnia mix with 3–5 inch dahlia-type blooms on 30–36 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3 ft (76–91 cm)
A Unicorn Mix zinnia flower up close on the plant Unicorn Mix Floret zinnia mix of domed multitoned blooms with lavender centers, 40 to 52 in tall. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½–4½ ft (102–132 cm)
A Uproar Rose zinnia flower up close on the plant Uproar Rose F1 zinnia with 4-5 inch double rose-pink blooms on 28-36 inch plants. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3 ft (71–91 cm)

How to choose

  1. Compare the Height column. These are tall plants, so check it before you put them in front of anything shorter.

  2. Look at the Color column. Most entries are series sold as a mix and in single colors, and the record names every color the seller lists.

  3. Check days to bloom if your summer is short. The count runs from sowing.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Aztec Sunset Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 6–10 in (15–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Benary's Giant Dahlia-flowered 3½–4 ft (102–127 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
California Giant Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 2–4 ft (61–122 cm) (estimated) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Candy Cane Dahlia-flowered 1½–2 ft (43–61 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Dreamland Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 8–16 in (20–41 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Isabellina Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 3–4 ft (91–127 cm) 2–11 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Macarenia Dahlia-flowered 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Magellan Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 12–18 in (30–46 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Mazurkia Dahlia-flowered 1½–2½ ft (51–76 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Peppermint Stick Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 2½ ft (71 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Polar Bear Dahlia-flowered 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Purple Prince Dahlia-flowered 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Queen Lime Dahlia-flowered 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Short Stuff Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 8–10 in (20–25 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
State Fair Dahlia-flowered 2½–3 ft (76–91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Unicorn Mix Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 3½–4½ ft (102–132 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Uproar Rose Dahlia-flowered (estimated) 2½–3 ft (71–91 cm) – Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start dahlia-flowered zinnias?

Johnny's Selected Seeds advises sowing about 4 weeks before planting out, or sowing directly in the garden 1/4 inch deep once it is warm. The seed germinates in 3 to 5 days at 80 to 85 °F.

Should I pinch the plants?

Johnny's recommends pinching the first bud or bloom and then deadheading, which makes the plant branch and keeps it flowering.

When do I cut them for a vase?

Before the flower is completely open, once the stem is firm from the cut to just below the bloom. Johnny's gives a vase life of 7 to 10 days.

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