Grow This Flowering Hummingbird-Favorite From Seed And Thank Us Later

Do you love hummingbirds? Well, join the club. While birds of all kinds can be interesting to watch, hummingbirds can be even more captivating thanks to their unique beauty, exceptional speed, and small size. While many things can attract hummingbirds to your garden, planting zinnias is one of the best options. Zinnias are colorful annual flowers that hummingbirds can't seem to resist. Like butterflies and other pollinators, hummingbirds love the nectar that zinnias produce.

Add zinnias to the places that you would love to see more hummingbirds and they're likely to start coming around pretty often. While other plants can attract hummingbirds to your yard and garden, zinnias are an exceptional choice. Not only are they irresistible to hummingbirds, but they're also beautiful flowers that are easy to grow. Minimal soil preparation is needed to grow zinnias, so you don't need a lot of gardening experience and know-how. You can plant the seeds directly into well-drained soil. Zinnias also grow fast – you can expect them to bloom in just two months.

When growing zinnias from seeds, place them where they'll get plenty of sunlight. Zinnias need to be in direct sunlight to grow their best. Also, they need space to grow, so don't plant them too close to one another. You'll need to plant them 4 to 24 inches apart, but the exact spacing depends on the specific variety of zinnias. 

There are numerous zinnia varieties and they have different requirements, so always learn the best practices for the specific kind of zinnia you're growing. When trying to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, opt for varieties that produce a lot of nectar. The Tall State Fair, California Giant, Lilliput, and Zahara Zinnias are a few good options to consider. 

You should aim to water zinnias regularly, but avoid overdoing it. Give zinnias time to dry and ensure that the soil doesn't get soaked. The flower needs to be in soil that drains well for the best results. Also, remember to plant these annual flowers in late spring. The last frost should pass before you start planting. Since they'll die each year, harvest zinnia seeds after growing them. Replant them annually to keep them in your garden and ensure that hummingbirds keep coming by regularly.