Profusion Cherry

Family: Asteraceae Annual flowering plant

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

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.