Profusion Cherry

Family: Asteraceae Annual flowering plant

Planting Schedule

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Profusion Cherry bursts into bloom with velvety, warm cherry-red petals that glow like polished velvet against deep green foliage.

The flower heads are generously full and tightly layered, creating a lush, compact look that holds its form beautifully in the garden and as a cut flower. Expect a steady wave of blooms from early summer through fall—ideal for gardeners who want effortless color with dependable, drought-tolerant performance.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Profusion Cherry

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Profusion Cherry 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 31st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Jul 24th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 18th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 14th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 12th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 7th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 3rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jun 30th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 24th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 19th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 9th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	May 31st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 22nd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 5th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Nov 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Edible zinnia petals are best treated like a delicate garnish: bright, lightly sweet, and most expressive when kept cold and fresh. Use them sparingly—too much can tip toward a grassy edge, so they behave like a perfumed confetti, not a full salad ingredient.

Best Uses

chopped as a colorful garnish on bitter greens
tossed into a quick citrus salad right before serving
folded into rice or grain salads for a soft, perfumed accent
used sparingly as a floating garnish on chilled drinks

Flavor Profile

gentle floral-nectar sweetness lightly grassy, leafy finish soft, velvety petal texture when fresh

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey cucumber goat cheese basil sparkling water

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Zinnia elegans (Profusion Cherry) leaves turning yellow or developing powdery patches, and what should I do?

Zinnia elegans commonly gets powdery mildew and leaf-spot diseases, shown as white powder on leaves or dark spots followed by yellowing. Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering the soil (not the foliage), then remove and discard badly infected leaves. If the problem keeps spreading, treat early with a labeled fungicide for powdery mildew/leaf spot and repeat as directed on the label.

How often should I water Profusion Cherry zinnias during peak growth, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During the main growing phase, keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy—water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry. Aim for deep watering that wets the root zone, then let the soil partially dry before the next watering to prevent disease like powdery mildew. In hot weather, this often becomes about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and container size.

How can I tell when Profusion Cherry zinnias are ready to harvest for the best blooms?

Harvest when the flower heads are fully colored and the ray petals are open and crisp, typically about 60 days from sowing. For longest vase life, cut early in the morning and choose blooms where the center is mature but not browned or collapsing. Deadhead or cut spent flowers right away to keep Profusion Cherry producing more blossoms.