Zinnias, one of the most beautiful sunflower tribes, are quite easy to grow. They grow in abundance if you can take care of them properly. In this article, we will discuss whether zinnias grow in shade.
We will further discuss their shade requirements and other factors associated with their maintenance. Read ahead to learn more about zinnias.
Can zinnias grow in shade?
Zinnias can grow in shade. However, note that these flowers prefer to grow only in part shade. They generally have a hard time thriving in full sunlight. They get more prone to diseases then. But these flowers grow wonderfully in part shade in warmer climates.
Zinnias need sunlight to grow. But they get prone to diseases if you cannot maintain the proper amount of shade as well. Let’s take a look at whether zinnias can grow in shade or partial shade.
Partial shade:
Zinnias can grow in partial shade. But you will need to expose them to sunlight for at least a while.
It is ideal to allow at least 6 hours of sun each day for a zinnia plant. This will ensure proper and healthy growth for a zinnia plant.
Zinnias can grow in partial shade as long as all the other factors are taken care of. Such as, you can grow a zinnia plant in partial shade if you allow them exposure to sunlight for at least a certain amount of time.
In addition, zinnias grow well in partial shade in the warmer climate. Afternoon shade works like a charm for those plants.
Semi shade:
Yes, zinnias can grow in semi-shade. In fact, semi-shade makes zinnias’ growth quite smooth and easy. Zinnias cannot thrive when they are exposed to long hours of sunlight.
So semi-shade is a wonderful way to keep a zinnia plant alive and thriving. But you will still need to ensure that your plant is getting proper exposure to sunlight.
If you cannot ensure a certain amount of sun exposure for your plant, it will get prone to disease and be more susceptible.
Full shade:
Zinnias cannot grow in full shade. Zinnia plants need at least six hours of sun every day. They will get prone to diseases otherwise. So if you try to grow a zinnia plant in full shade, it will soon get diseased and eventually get dried.
Zinnia plants cannot survive in full shade. They need a certain amount of sun exposure in order to survive.
Do zinnias require full sun?
Zinnias do not require full sun in order to grow into a healthy plant. But they will surely do a lot better if you can expose them to direct sunlight. They grow very fast when they get full sun and summer heat with an adequate amount of water.
A zinnia plant needs at least six hours of sunlight each day. This will ensure smooth and fast growth for them.
You should plant a zinnia plant in a well-drained area. In addition, they should have exposure to a significant amount of sunlight. Otherwise, your zinnia plant will not thrive.
Zinnias generally do well when they are in full sun. However, if you can’t put zinnias in a spot where they get full sun, you should at least place them in a place where they receive indirect sunlight for a significant period of time.
They can grow in shade for the rest of the day, without any trouble.
Will zinnias grow in 5 hours of sun?
Yes, you can grow zinnias in 5 hours of sun. While zinnias need long hours of exposure to sunlight, they can still grow well in 5 to 6 hours of sunlight. Sunlight should fall constantly and directly into the zinnias during that five hours.
However, during the remaining hours of the day, the plant should get indirect sunlight. This will make sure that the plant grows well and fast. Indirect exposure to sunlight for the rest of the day will also make the flowers bloom properly at the right time.
Even if zinnias get only five hours of sun, they can thrive if the soil is well-drained. With proper drainage, five hours of sun, and summer heat, the flowers of the zinnias can bloom in a couple of weeks.
How many hours of the sun do zinnias need?
Zinnias need at least six hours of sunlight to grow properly and in a healthy manner. The six hours of sunlight should be mostly direct if you want the plant to grow fast and effectively.
The leaves won’t be proper green and the flowers will be smaller in size if the zinnia plant gets less than six hours of sunlight.
The full light for six hours is beneficial to these plants because it aids in the production of sugars, and carbohydrates in their cells. These cells contain chlorophyll, which gives the plant its attractive green color.
The carbohydrates also speed up the process of plants turning nutrients into plant tissue, enhancing the growth rate.
The plenty of sunlight also keeps the photosynthesis process of the zinnias constant. This photosynthesis ensures a steady supply of carbohydrates, resulting in increased growth and abundant bloom.
Sun and shade requirements for zinnia
Growing zinnias is not as simple as it may seem at first. It is somewhat complicated due to its sun and shade requirements. Knowing the right sun and shade requirements for zinnia is very important for its proper growth.
Let’s find out the sun and shade requirements for zinnia.
Direct sunlight and partial shade:
Zinnias require at least six hours of direct sunlight to grow in the right way. After six hours of direct sunlight, the plant can be kept in partial shade.
The combination of direct sunlight and partial shade is perfect for the zinnias. This is because the plants will have continuous photosynthesis, yet the leaves won’t get burned.
The zinnias will have enough sugar and carbohydrates to grow in this sun and shade requirement. This combination of sun and shade will also prevent the leaves from having brown and yellow spots, which can be obtained due to excessive sunlight.
Indirect sunlight and semi-shade:
Indirect sunlight and semi-shade are also not a bad combination for the proper growth of the zinnias. Zinnias don’t thrive if they get direct sunlight for a long period of time.
So, when they are provided with semi-shade and indirect sunlight, they conduct photosynthesis properly and grow quite fast.
However, if the zinnias get indirect sunlight for a short period of time and remain in shade for a long time, they won’t grow in the right way. The flowers will also be smaller or won’t even grow if they don’t get indirect sunlight for a significant period of time.
How to grow zinnias?
Growing zinnias is quite tricky. If you don’t follow the right steps to grow zinnias, it will be a handy task. However, growing the zinnias can be very easy if you follow the right steps. The steps are quite easy to follow and don’t consume a lot of time.
Here is how you can grow zinnias:
Maintain proper distance between each zinnia:
Zinnias can become quite wide compared to most other flower plants. As a result, you should plant them 6 to 18 inches apart from each other for proper air circulation.
By ensuring enough distance between the plants, you can minimize the chance of mold and mildew development in the zinnia.
Water adequately:
You should water the zinnias adequately. You should water the plant at least once a week to prevent the soil from becoming completely dry.
However, you should make sure that you don’t overwater the plants because it can damage the roots permanently. You should also make sure that the soil is well-drained to prevent water clogging.
Fertilize the soil:
The soil in which you have planted the zinnias won’t always have proper nutrition. So, you should fertilize the soil once in a while to keep the nutrition and minerals in the soil balanced and ensure the proper growth of the plant.
Cut off the old flowers:
Once the zinnias’ flowers start to bloom, you should cut off the old flowers. This will encourage new flowers to grow faster and the plant will grow along with it.
Final Thoughts
Zinnias can grow in shade as long as it is not a full shade. These plants grow perfectly in partial shade or semi-shaded spots. However, zinnias grow best if they receive full sunlight for five to six hours a day and have indirect light for the rest of the day.