Candy Cane Mix

Family: Asteraceae Annual flowering plant

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Candy Cane Mix to a garden.

Crisp, candy-striped blooms burst in a riot of color—creamy white bands wrapped around vivid rose-red centers—so bright they seem to glow in the garden light.

At maturity, sturdy stems hold fully double, daisy-like flowers with a velvety, petal-packed texture that stays showy for cut arrangements. Grow Candy Cane Mix for a long season of pollinator-friendly color that brings instant, cheerful impact to beds, borders, and bouquets.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Candy Cane Mix

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Candy Cane Mix 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	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jul 21st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 14th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 8th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 4th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 2nd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jun 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jun 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	May 30th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 21st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 12th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Apr 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Mar 31st – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 20th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Zinnia elegans, and how can I treat it at home?

Zinnia elegans is commonly hit by powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves (often in humid weather or with crowded plants). Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the soil line, then remove heavily affected leaves; for prevention and treatment, use a labeled fungicide for powdery mildew on ornamentals and reapply as directed. If the problem is severe, pull and discard the worst plants to slow spread.

How often should I water Zinnia elegans during the main growing phase?

During active growth and budding (roughly weeks 2–6 for a ~50-day crop), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 1–2 waterings depending on heat. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root stress and reduce mildew pressure. Once plants are established, they tolerate brief dry spells better than constant wet soil.

How can I tell when Zinnia elegans “Candy Cane Mix” is ready to harvest?

Harvest when flower heads are fully colored and open, but before petals start browning or the center becomes too messy. For best continued blooming, cut blooms at the point where the stem meets a healthy set of leaves, ideally in the morning when flowers are most hydrated. Regular harvesting (every few days during peak) helps trigger new buds and keeps the plants producing.