Companion planting is a useful technique for backyard beautification as well as for food gardens and raised beds. You may make better use of space by growing the appropriate plants together.
Additionally, it allows you to both attract and repel helpful insects.
Zinnias are wonderful companion plants since they are so simple to cultivate. But which plants should you avoid planting close to zinnias and which are the finest companions for them?
Garden staples like tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, and peppers are just a few that work nicely with zinnias.
Dahlias, marigolds, and salvias are among ornamental plants that can be cultivated as zinnia companion plants. However, lavender and other herbs that favor dry, sandy soils should not be used.
What Are the Best Companion Plants for Zinnias?
Because they are simple to cultivate and have lengthy blooming seasons, zinnias are very alluring to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other helpful pollinators.
Planting these flowers in slightly acidic to neutral soil that is rich in moisture-retentive organic matter but still drains well is optimum for their growth.
In warmer growing zones, zinnias may tolerate some afternoon shadow, but in chilly climes, these flowers must be grown in full sun.
In addition to being excellent companion plants for your vegetable patch, zinnias are also excellent for the flowers in your landscape.
Calendula
Calendula is a highly sociable plant that gets along well with practically any other garden species, notably zinnia. Calendula is a flower that is commonly used in herbal remedies.
It helps in the treatment of rashes, inflammation, and skin conditions like eczema and acne. Additionally, calendula can be used topically to promote wound healing.
Calendula
Like Calendula, marigold makes a wonderful zinnia companion plant. Marigolds help keep pests away from your zinnias, so you’ll get stronger flowers on your plants. They also draw pollinators to the garden, boosting the possibility that the results of your effort may include more blossoms. These are the factors that make marigolds one of the best zinnia companion plants.
Basil
The similar growth needs of zinnias and basil are one of the key factors contributing to their successful pairing. Full light and damp (but not wet) soil are ideal conditions for growing both basil and zinnias.
They frequently develop together as a result of that.
Of course, there are many additional reasons why basil is a fantastic zinnia companion plant. To begin with, its strong scent deters pests, protecting zinnias and nearby plants from infestation.
Additionally, the zinnia’s brilliant blossoms and the sweetly scented basil flowers attract hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and other predatory insects that not only aid in pollination but also eat hazardous insects.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower’s growth requirements are quite similar to those of zinnias, therefore they can tolerate them.
Filling in the spaces between your cauliflower plants with zinnias keeps the soil below shaded.
As a result, the zinnias can operate as a living mulch, slowing down the rate of evaporation and maintaining a cool environment for the growth of cauliflower.
As a trap crop, you may also grow zinnias close to your cauliflower plants. If zinnias are present, many of the pests that consume cauliflower, such as aphids, loopers, beetles, slugs, and snails, will consume them instead.
So a great method to provide some protection for these cruciferous vegetables is to plant rows of zinnias in between rows of cauliflower.
Salvias
Both decorative and culinary sage, often known as salvia, make good zinnia companion plants.
Sage and zinnias can both withstand full sun, making them ideal for growing in the warmest areas of your yard when many other plants can’t.
Salvias are simple to grow and well-liked by pollinators, just like zinnias. Just be sure to give zinnias and salvias enough room between them to allow for appropriate airflow. By doing so, fungus infections and other salvia issues are avoided.
And much like with zinnias, consistent deadheading may encourage salvias to bloom for an extended period of time, promoting pollination in your garden all during the growing season.
Cucumbers
Like cucumbers, zinnias thrive in full sun and like loamy soil that can be maintained damp without becoming permanently so.
Cucumbers profit from zinnias’ ability to draw pollinators, which is essential for crop growth. Additionally, these blossoms lure ladybugs and lacewings, which eat a lot of the pests drawn to cucumbers.
Cucumbers are vining plants, so if they don’t have something to grab onto, they may drown nearby crops.
So train your cucumbers to grow up a trellis to keep your zinnias healthy. Make sure the plants are sufficiently apart from one another to allow for air circulation, or powdery mildew may appear on your cucumbers.
Melons
Planting honeydew melons, watermelons, and cantaloupes close to zinnias has additional advantages.
Due to their ability to withstand full light and preference for growing in loose, wet soil, all of these plants get together splendidly.
Zinnias repel undesirable insects like aphids and thrip off melons while luring beneficial pollinating insects with their vibrant petals.
If you decide to utilize zinnias as companion plants for them, melons should also be taught to climb on a trellis. Melons that are being cultivated in pots or other tiny locations really require this.
Dahlias
Grow dahlias and zinnias side by side as a border for your flower beds if attracting more butterflies to your garden is your main aim.
Their vibrant flowers draw butterflies, and those butterflies are glad to visit nearby plants as well, which may significantly increase the pollination rates in your garden.
But use caution. Dahlias and zinnias can surely draw pollinators, but they may also grab the attention of stray deer.
If you see any foraging animals munching on these blossoms, spritz them with a homemade dish soap repellant to entice them to look for food somewhere else.
Tomatoes
In a growing season, a typical tomato plant may yield up to 100 tomatoes.
Roma and cherry tomatoes are examples of smaller types that may yield up to 200 fruits.
Tomato plants are ever busy, therefore they depend on any assistance from nearby plants.
Fortunately, zinnias complement tomatoes really well. In addition to attracting pollinators, their colorful blossoms also draw predatory insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that eat the aphids, worms, and beetles that prefer to feast on tomatoes.
Try planting tomatoes, basil, and zinnias in the same raised bed or garden space.
While basil contributes to the enhancement of tomato tastes, zinnias, and basil support each other in pollinating tomato plants.
Beans
Zinnias prefer to grow next to beans due to their ability to fix nitrogen, much like collard greens do. The nitrogen that is already present in the soil is converted by beans and other legumes into a form of nitrogen that is simpler for plants to consume.
Since zinnias require sufficient nitrogen levels to bloom, their connection with beans is advantageous to both since zinnia blossoms aid in drawing pollinators that support bean reproduction.
How to Plant Zinnia?
This time, we did not list any nearby plants that may harm your zinnia.
Because it has no enemies and is a very benign plant, zinnia is the explanation.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind while growing zinnias.
Let’s look at them now!
Pest Protection for Zinnia
When zinnias are completely matured, they acquire a specific defense mechanism against pests.
On the other hand, young zinnias are vulnerable to insect assaults while they are developing.
What you need to know now is how to prevent this. You have to take excellent care of your zinnias, therefore it is not that simple.
Use anti-insect soap sprays under your zinnias as one alternative. You will safeguard your plants in this way.
Be Careful with the Shadow
Zinnia needs a lot of sunlight. It thrives in warm climates with lots of sunlight.
Because zinnias generate flowers, they require a lot of sunlight.
It won’t work well if you put your zinnia next to a taller plant or in an improper location.
This neighbor’s shadow will block the light from the zinnia.
Your zinnia won’t grow if this continues for an extended period of time, and it might even die before it finishes blooming.
Water your Zinnia
A zinnia uses water for more than simply hydration. Along with other nutrients necessary for photosynthesis, it also carries nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and a number of other nutrients.
When zinnias are in the seedling and growth stages, water them thoroughly but watch out not to drown them.
You may explore the soil by digging your fingertips into it. The soil is overly damp if a lot of water presses up from the ground.
The soil is sufficiently wet when it sticks to your fingertips but doesn’t immediately form a puddle.