When to Plant Zinnia in Tucson, Arizona (85708)

Location

Tucson, Arizona

ZIP Code

85708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b

Pro tip: Sow Zinnia directly outdoors 1 week after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Zinnia elegans

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-36"

Spread 12"

Type Annual

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Moderate (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Zinnia in Tucson?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoCucumberPepper

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Zinnia

See which plants help Zinnia thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Zinnia Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

California Giant

open-pollinated 70d

Large 4–5 inch double flowers on tall stems; superb for cutting.

Benary's Giant

hybrid 75d

Top-rated cut flower series with strong stems and an enormous color range.

Envy

open-pollinated 75d

Unique lime-green zinnia that pairs beautifully with warm-toned flowers in arrangements.

Zahara

hybrid 60d

Disease-resistant series with smaller, mounded habit — excellent for beds and containers.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let flower heads dry completely on the plant — petals should be fully brown and papery.

Processing

Pull dried flower heads apart to find arrow-shaped seeds, dry 1 additional week.

Seed Viability

Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Zinnias cross easily — for pure color, save from just one variety or bag flowers before they open.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Zinnia. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Zinnia in Tucson, Arizona? +

In Tucson (Zone 9b), direct sow Zinnia outdoors around Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Tucson, Arizona? +

The average last spring frost date for Tucson, Arizona (ZIP 85708) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.

How long does Zinnia take to grow? +

Zinnia typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Tucson, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, February 17, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Zinnia indoors or direct sow in Arizona? +

Zinnia does best when direct sown outdoors. In Tucson, sow directly around Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

📚 More Zinnia Planting Guides

🗺️

Zinnia in Arizona

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9b Zinnia Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Zinnia in Zone 9b

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) is a popular garden vegetable. In Tucson, Arizona, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should direct sow seeds around Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Zinnia grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.