Benary's Giant

Family: Asteraceae Annual flowering plant

Planting Schedule

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A riot of color from a single bloom—Benary’s Giant zinnias open with bold, velvety petals that feel plush to the eye and glow in the garden like stained glass.

Expect sturdy, upright stems and large, fully double flowers that hold their form beautifully, making them ideal for standout cut-flower bouquets. With a long season of bloom and pollinator-friendly appeal, this is the zinnia to grow when you want maximum impact and nonstop floral drama from midsummer onward.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Benary's Giant

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Benary's Giant Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Apr 27th	May 25th	Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Apr 21st	May 19th	Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 17th	May 15th	Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 15th	May 13th	Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 10th	May 8th	Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 6th	May 4th	Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 3rd	May 1st	Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 28th	Apr 25th	Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 23rd	Apr 20th	Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 13th	Apr 10th	Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 4th	Apr 1st	Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 23rd	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 6th	Mar 6th	May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 12th	Feb 9th	Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	7

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common disease problem for Zinnia elegans (Benary’s Giant), and how can I treat it?

Zinnia elegans commonly suffers from powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves during warm, humid periods. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and watering at the soil line (not overhead), then remove heavily affected leaves. If it’s spreading, apply a labeled fungicide for powdery mildew on zinnias and repeat according to the label interval.

How often should I water Benary’s Giant zinnias during the main growing phase?

During active growth and flowering, keep the soil consistently lightly moist—about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and avoid frequent light sprinkling that keeps foliage wet. In full sun, this usually means watering 1–2 times per week depending on heat and soil texture.

How do I know when Benary’s Giant zinnia flowers are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the flower heads are fully colored and the petals are flat and crisp, with the center fully developed but not breaking down. For best vase life, cut stems in the morning and pick blooms before they start to look ragged or watery. If you’re harvesting for continuous flowering, snip spent blooms promptly to encourage more buds.