How to Plant, Grow, and Care For ‘Queen Lime’ Zinnias

Zinnias are a favorite of mine; I say it time and time again. If there is one flower I will plant every year without fail, it’s the zinnia. This powerhouse annual truly does it all. The ‘Queen Lime’ series is a unique and beautiful one. 

Zinnias are vigorous growers and producers of large, lovely flowers. Their long, strong stems make them an excellent choice for the cutting garden. They’re also an excellent addition to the pollinator patch with their flat, accessible, nectar-rich flowers. 

These flowers are incredibly easy to grow and have a great payoff for the effort invested. If you like to see butterflies in the garden, these will make it happen. They bloom throughout the summer and fall, right up to your first frost. 

What Is It?

‘Queen Lime’ zinnias are a group best known for their subtle, beautiful, and sophisticated colors. Most varieties get recognition for their bold, bright colors. These have a quiet loveliness that is best enjoyed up close and personal. They are excellent for the cutting garden, where you will want to add them to every bouquet. 

Characteristics

‘Queen Lime’ zinnias are medium to large-sized plants that can reach heights of nearly four feet. If you pinch them and cut them often, they will grow into lovely, shrubby plants that look lovely in mixed flower beds. They have strong, slim stems and slightly fuzzy foliage. 

The main draw for this particular series is the color of the blooms. There are four recognized varieties, but I’ve seen several others pop up in recent years. The classic ‘Queen Lime’ zinnia is a lime green cultivar; its petals are bright and cool. When combined with other colors, the results are charming and nostalgic. 

The lime green shade overlaid with pink, peach, red, yellow, and orange becomes a group of earthy, muted hues. They have a vintage appeal and blend well with almost any color combination. 

Native Area

Zinnia elegans is native to parts of Central and North America, including Mexico and the southwestern United States. They grow in semi-arid, warm climates with moderate rainfall. ‘Queen Lime’ is a cultivated series that works well in the same climates as its wild predecessor. 

Planting

The ideal time to plant zinnias is in the spring, as soon as the ground is warm enough for them to germinate (about 65°F or 18°C). You can start them earlier indoors, but they grow best if you plant them right in the garden. 

‘Queen Lime’ is a medium-sized plant that requires about 18″-24″ of space to spread. You can succession sow them throughout the season, as they will continue to bloom until the first frost.

Transplanting

Zinnias are easy to sow directly in the garden. The seeds are large and don’t need light to germinate. They also germinate quickly, all qualities that make them excellent for direct sowing. In cooler climates, you may want to start ahead of time and transplant when the soil warms up. 

You can also purchase nursery starts, which you will need to transplant. When you do so, work some fertilizer into the soil beforehand. Loosen up the soil in your planting area and dig holes that are as deep and twice as wide as your root balls. Space them about 18″-24″ apart and backfill, then tamp down the soil gently. Water well after planting.

Growing From Seed

Propagation from seeds is the easiest way to grow ‘Queen Lime’ zinnias. In my experience, sowing them directly in the garden is both convenient and effective. You can plant earlier in the season in warm climates, but generally, it is best to wait until the soil reaches 65°F (18°C). 

These plants are adaptable and can handle sandy soil, but they prefer soils with more nutrients. It’s good to amend your soil ahead of time to give them a healthy start. Mix in some compost and balanced fertilizer for best results. Sow the seeds 18″-24″ apart, and about 1/4″ deep. 

I like to plant two seeds in each hole and then thin out the weaker seedlings if both germinate. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, as overly wet soil can cause rot in your delicate seedlings. Under ideal conditions, your zinnias may sprout in as few as four days, though it can take up to two weeks. 

When your seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to one every 18″-24″. Continue to water regularly, keeping the soil moist. When they have three sets of true leaves, pinch your plants to encourage branching.

If you live in a cooler climate and want to get a head start, there is nothing wrong with starting these seeds indoors. It’s not difficult, but not quite as uncomplicated as direct sowing them. You’ll need a seed-starting mix, a brightly lit space or a grow light, and a heat mat in some cases. 

Light

If you want strong, floriferous plants, they require full sunlight. Without adequate sunlight, you can end up with leggy, weak plants that produce fewer flowers. 

Sunlight promotes stronger stems, which are essential for taller cultivars. Adequate light also helps combat fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, which can be a problem for zinnias. 

Water

Once they’re established, ‘Queen Lime’ zinnias tend to be drought-tolerant. They prefer moderate moisture, though, if you want them to flower well and not just survive. If you live in a dry region, water your plants at least two to three times per week during drought periods. 

In areas that receive regular rainfall, you may not need to water them at all. Just don’t let the soil dry out completely. During periods of dry weather, water the soil deeply once or twice a week to keep it moist. 

The ideal time for watering is early in the morning. Before 9 am is preferable. The air is cooler in the morning, which slows evaporation, allowing your plants to absorb more water. Always water at the soil level to avoid fungal issues. 

Soil

‘Queen Lime’ zinnias prefer loose, light, loamy soil, but they won’t mind a bit of sand. Clay-heavy soil is challenging because it tends to be dense and retain a significant amount of moisture. I have clay soil, however, and with some compost and manure mixed in, it works just fine. 

These don’t need a ton of nitrogen, as this can lead to few flowers and excessive green growth. Moderately fertile and moist soil is ideal for these plants. They also like a slightly acidic soil pH. 

Temperature and Humidity

Since zinnias are native to warm, semi-arid regions, this is their ideal climate. They are heat-tolerant and somewhat drought-tolerant once established. They are not frost-tolerant at all and will die off in the first frost. Avoid transplanting until there is no threat of frost. 

For rapid growth and flowering, the ideal daytime temperature range is 70-90°F (21-32°C). They don’t mind the temperature dropping about 10 degrees at night. They also prefer low to moderate humidity. If you live in a humid climate, make sure to give them a bit more space for adequate ventilation. 

Fertilizing

Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil at planting time to give them a strong start. This is the only time you’ll want to use a balanced formula, as they won’t need as much nitrogen going forward. Remember, an overabundance of nitrogen can inhibit blooming. 

About a month after planting, apply a bloom-boosting formula or one that is higher in potassium and phosphorus. These nutrients contribute to strong roots and hearty bud development. Continue to fertilize with this formula once a month to every six weeks throughout the season. 

Maintenance

‘Queen Lime’ zinnias are annuals, so they don’t require special care for winter. You can simply cut them to the ground and leave the roots to build the soil or pull them out entirely. 

During the growing season, deadheading and pruning are essential for maintaining a vigorous, healthy plant that blooms frequently. I grow these for cutting, so I cut often, and this keeps my plants productive and attractive. 

Whether you cut them while fresh or wait until the blooms die, make sure to cut the stem far enough down. Cut the stem all the way down to the nearest node that is branching. This will help keep the plant more compact and prevent it from toppling over. 

Popular Varieties

Aside from the standard ‘Queen Lime,’ there are an additional three cultivars recognized. While there are others developed more recently, these are the most popular.

‘Queen Lime Orange’

	botanical name Zinnia elegans ‘Queen Lime Orange’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30”-40”
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Queen Lime Orange’ is what put this series on the map. This is the most popular cultivar, and it’s readily available from most seed retailers. The flowers are unique, with each one its own combination of green and orange. The effect is a muted peach tone with a touch of green toward the center. A bouquet of these has a neutral, flesh-toned appearance.

‘Queen Lime Blush’

	botanical name Zinnia elegans ‘Queen Lime Blush’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30”-40”
	hardiness zones 2-11

This is one of the varieties I am growing this year, and it has a look all its own. Unlike the orange cultivar, these have a more subtle, warm tone. The blooms have a stronger green tone. If you like a barely there hint of pink, this is a perfect selection. 

‘Queen Red Lime’

	botanical name Zinnia elegans ‘Queen Red Lime’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30”-40”
	hardiness zones 2-11

This is another cultivar I selected for my cutting garden this year. It’s one of my favorite flowers in the garden right now. Where the blush variety has a more pared-down orange appearance, this one is bolder and more colorful. A deep rose shade forms the foundation of ‘Queen Red Lime.’ There is a hint of green that intensifies toward the center. 

Common Problems

‘Queen Lime’ zinnias, like most, have few issues under the right conditions. However, in humid regions, certain issues frequently arise. Don’t despair; most are easy to deal with, and since these grow so quickly, it’s easy to grow more of them than you need. 

Pests

The biggest issue I find with my zinnias is that armyworms adore them. These tiny caterpillars will defoliate an entire plant in what seems like the blink of an eye. Once they’ve lit into a plant, I typically don’t try to save it. If you can remove the leaves they are working on, that can be effective, but I usually yank the whole plant. 

Whiteflies are fans of these plants, but they aren’t as difficult to control. Yellow sticky traps are effective, as they draw in the flies and hold them captive. This significantly reduces their populations but puts other insects attracted to yellow at risk. Neem oil also helps to eliminate them. 

Spider mites can be an issue in warm, dry climates. They dislike humidity, so misting your plants can be an effective solution. You can also treat these with neem oil or miticides. Always spray neem in the early morning before pollinators are doing their thing.

Less destructive than the others, leafhoppers and Japanese beetles may occasionally appear. These are larger and more visible, and manual removal often works. Beetle traps are effective, but beetles aren’t usually that destructive. 

Diseases

Fungal diseases are the most common and problematic for ‘Queen Lime’ zinnias. Because they are adapted to dry climates, they often encounter issues in humid ones. Powdery mildew is the most common. 

Powdery mildew is a white, powdery mold that grows on the surface of leaves. It’s usually the result of poor watering practices. Rust, botrytis blight, and leaf spot are other fungal issues common in these plants. 

Space your plants properly and make sure they have adequate ventilation. Watering them at the soil level is helpful, as overhead watering is a common cause of fungal disease. Remove damaged leaves as they appear. Neem oil and copper fungicides are effective against most of these issues.

Frequently Asked Questions