Peppermint Stick Zinnias: How to Grow, Cut, and Enjoy These Gorgeous Flowers

Did you know that the Peppermint Stick Zinnia is one of the easiest flowers to care for? This sweetly named flower is low-maintenance, yet offers a high reward for eager gardeners.

Each blossom is unique and adds stunning pops of color to your garden during the summer and fall months. In addition to boundless beauty, there are many benefits to growing this plant at home.

With so many motives to plant this flower, keep reading to find out why you should add the Peppermint Stick Zinnia to your garden!

History of the Peppermint Stick Zinnia

The Peppermint Stick Zinnia is one of many cultivars that belongs to the Zinnia elegans species. The flower is native to 16th-century Mexico but wasn’t widely studied until seeds were first brought to Europe in the 18th century.

Johann Gottfried Zinn was a German botanist credited for publishing the first detailed description of the zinnia flower. It is in his honor that the zinnia flower received its name.

Characteristics of the Peppermint Stick Zinnia

The Peppermint Stick Zinnia is very unique – no two flowers look the same! Petals may be pink, orange, yellow, or cream. Shades of red and pink dot and stripe the petals, creating distinctive splotches of color on each and every blossom.

The flowers range from two to four inches in diameter and plant height averages between 24 to 36 inches tall. The long green stems sprout dark green leaves that average between two to four inches long.

Zinnias are edible flowers, but their lack of flavor makes them better suited to act as colorful garnishes. Adding a couple of Peppermint Stick Zinnia petals can be a great way to add some vibrance to drinks, salads, dinner plates, and more!

Planting the Peppermint Stick Zinnia

The Peppermint Stick Zinnia is an annual flower, offering beautiful blooms from the warm days of summer to the first fall frost. When planting your zinnias outside, make sure to wait about one to two weeks after your last expected frost.

The danger of frost can stunt growth. You want to make sure the soil has had plenty of time to warm up before planting. A warm climate is key for allowing your zinnias to thrive!

Sun

Zinnias need lots of light to grow, so make sure to choose a planting spot that receives full sun. At least six hours a day is needed for adequate growth.

Sowing

When planting, group around four to six seeds together and sow them 1/4 inches deep in rich, well-drained soil. Each group of seeds should be at least eight inches to a foot away from your next group.

Peppermint stick zinnias are fast growers – sprouts should start to surface within three to ten days!

Watering

For newly planted zinnias, keeping the soil surface moist is the best way to get your young blooms started off on the right foot. Water daily, but be careful of overwatering – too much moisture can cause disease.

Once your plant has grown to be about three to four inches tall, you’ll only need to water your zinnias a couple of times a week. Make sure to take rainfall into account, you don’t want to oversaturate your flowers!

When watering, be sure to direct water flow to the bottom of the plant. This keeps the petals dry and lowers the risk of disease while aiding the roots with absorption.

Cutting Your Peppermint Stick Zinnias

The Peppermint Stick Zinnia is a fantastic flower for cutting. The long, straight stems are ideal for standing upright in a vase.

If you’re nervous about cutting your beautiful zinnia flowers, don’t worry! Cutting your zinnias will actually strengthen the plant and promote the productivity and growth of more beautiful blooms.

The best time to cut zinnias is during the morning or evening hours. Try to avoid cutting in the heat of midday.

Choose stems that are strong, making sure to cut them at a height suitable for being trimmed again before being placed in your vase. A sharp-edged blade is sure to provide a nice clean cut, which promotes stem health.

The Peppermint Stick Zinnia is an undeniably vibrant flower. Pairing them with smaller filler flowers and greenery is a great way to let them shine in bouquets.

With proper care and maintenance, cut zinnias should last between one to two weeks in a vase.

Benefits of Planting Peppermint Stick Zinnias

Zinnias are great for attracting pollinators. As your flowers bloom, your garden will find itself visited by plenty of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollination partners!

Although attractive to garden helpers, zinnias are not eaten by deer. This makes these speckled flowers a great choice for keeping hungry flower fiends away from your precious plants!

In addition to loving heat and humidity, the Peppermint Stick Zinnia is a drought-tolerant plant. Planting these flowers means saving water and time due to their lower maintenance needs.

Where to Buy the Peppermint Stick Zinnia

With so many different enticing varieties of the zinnia flower, it can be tricky to find the Peppermint Stick Zinnia variety in stores. Ordering these seeds online is the best way to easily find the variety you’re looking for.

For high-quality seeds that are sure to make a dazzling addition to your garden, check out these Peppermint Stick Zinnia seeds from Botanical Interests.

Appreciating the Peppermint Stick Zinnia

Planting something new is always exciting, and the anticipation of watching your plant flourish is always worth the wait! With so many benefits to planting the Peppermint Stick Zinnia, there’s no doubt this flower should be on your list of things to grow next planting season.

It’s never too early to start planning ahead! Interested in more zinnia content? Visit my zinnia page for more growing tips, care guides, bouquet suggestions, and more!