How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Desert Zinnias

Desert zinnias are a wonderful species, and unlike their more popular cousin, they are perennials in many regions. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn about growing these drought-tolerant, low-maintenance flowers this summer.

I am enormously fond of zinnias in all their forms. They are some of the most dependable, sturdy, and colorful plants in the garden. There are so many things to love about zinnias, from their flowers to their drought-tolerance and their exceptionally long bloom time.

If you care for your zinnias properly, they will bring color to the garden all summer and into the fall. They also attract and feed beneficial insects with their nectar and pollen-rich flowers.

You’re probably most accustomed to the species known as Zinnia elegans. These are the tall, bold, and bright annuals that many gardeners plant every summer. There are other great species to explore, though, and here we will discuss Zinnia acerosa, or desert zinnia.
What Is It?
Zinnia acerosa, which goes by the common name desert zinnia, is a delightfully drought- and heat-tolerant species of the much-loved Zinnia genus. This smaller, shrubbier species has a reputation for being low-maintenance, pest- and disease-resistant, and easy to care for.

Characteristics
Desert zinnias are low-growing, shrubby plants with a mounding, spreading habit. They reach a height between six and 12 inches tall and are one to two times as wide. They have small, grey-green leaves that are narrow but good at conserving water.

The flowers are small and daisy-like, with cream-colored petals and yellow centers. As they age, the petals take on more yellow tones, finally maturing to a butter yellow. They bloom prolifically and for an extended period from spring through fall.

In mild climates, desert zinnias are evergreen, retaining their foliage throughout the year. In the cooler reaches of its range, it acts as a perennial. You can also grow these as an annual in cooler climates that are outside their perennial range.

Native Area
Desert zinnias are native to the desert and grassland regions of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, and parts of Northern Mexico. It tends to show up in arid, rocky landscapes, including deserts, and prefers areas with sandy, alkaline soil.


Planting
You can grow desert zinnias in the ground or in containers. The species is well-suited to both. If you have heavy, dense soil, growing them in containers or raised beds may be more effective for drainage reasons. Take into account their growth habit, which is characterized by a shrubby and low-growing nature. They have a wider spread, so make sure to give them room to stretch out.
How to Grow
Growing desert zinnias is a cinch. They grow and bloom delightfully quickly and require little care once they have established roots. They are efficient with nutrients and won’t require you to spend hours tending to them, dealing with pests, and managing diseases.
Maintenance

Pruning is not a must, but it can improve the overall look and shape of your plant. You may want to prune when your plant has finished its first blooming cycle. An all-over, light shearing will encourage plants to have another significant bloom cycle.

If you want to clean up and keep your plants trimmed to a certain shape and size, desert zinnias will respond well to that kind of pruning. Always remove dead and damaged foliage, any time it occurs, for the general health of the plant.

Propagation
Propagation of desert zinnias is typically from seeds. Because they are easy to start and grow quickly, most gardeners stick with this effective measure. You can, however, propagate these from cuttings. Here is how you do it:

Start in spring or summer when there is plenty of soft, new growth. Take four to six-inch softwood cuttings, and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in moist cactus or succulent mix or other well-draining potting mix.

Keep your cuttings moist and in a warm spot with bright indirect light. It should take about three to four weeks for them to root, at which time you can transplant them outdoors.