What Not to Plant with Zinnia 8 Companions to Avoid for a Beautiful Garden
Zinnias are vibrant and colorful annual flowers that can brighten up any garden with their cheery blooms They are easy to grow, tolerate a range of conditions, and attract pollinators like butterflies and bees But even though zinnias are relatively flexible, there are certain plants that should not be grown near them. Pairing zinnias with incompatible companion plants can hamper their growth and lead to lackluster flowers.
In this article, we will look at 8 plants you should avoid planting with zinnias. We will explore why these plants make poor companion choices and how they can negatively impact zinnias. We’ll also discuss better options for pairing with zinnias along with some useful tips for successful companion planting.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers and zinnias are not an ideal match in the garden bed. Several issues can arise when planting these two together including nutrient and moisture competition, attracted pests, and fungal disease risks. Cucumber vines can sprawl out and overtake zinnias, blocking sunlight and crowding them. And cucumbers and zinnias both require high levels of nitrogen, which can leave both plants nutrient deficient. For best results, plant cucumbers and zinnias separately.
Tomatoes: You might not think that tomato plants would hurt zinnias that are close by. But pests, diseases, shade, and chemical interactions can make it hard for tomatoes and zinnias to grow well together. Tomato plants need consistent moisture, but zinnias can get fungal diseases if they get too much water. Tomatoes can hurt zinnias because they need a lot of space, need to be pruned, and attract pests. For best growth, keep tomatoes and zinnias away from each other.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins and zinnias compete heavily for space, water and nutrients when grown together. Pumpkin vines can sprawl out and overtake zinnias while pumpkins aggressively absorb soil nutrients leaving little leftover for zinnias. Pumpkin foliage also creates too much shade and traps excess moisture that encourages fungal issues in zinnias. For prolific blooms, plant your zinnias away from pumpkins.
Potatoes
Potato plants present multiple challenges as a companion for zinnias. They deplete soil nutrients, attract pests like aphids, are prone to blights that can spread, and their shade and chemical excretions can inhibit zinnia growth and flowering. Keep your zinnias and potatoes separate for best results.
Mint
Mint’s aggressively spreading nature makes it unsuitable as a neighbor for zinnias. It can easily overtake zinnias, blocking sunlight and crowding their growth. Mint also releases chemicals that hinder nearby plants and rapidly absorbs moisture and nutrients competing with zinnias’ needs. Mint is best grown confined away from zinnias.
It is best to stay away from fennel plants near zinnias because they can hurt them. Some of the chemicals it puts into the soil can stop zinnia plants nearby from growing. Also, fennel gives zinnias too much shade, competes for nutrients, and doesn’t grow well in the same conditions. For prolific zinnia blooms, plant fennel elsewhere.
When it comes to growing conditions, lavender likes it hot and dry, while zinnias need enough water. Lavender often gets root rot when it grows with zinnias, which get stressed. Even though both plants attract pollinators, they are not good companions because their needs are not the same. Grow lavender and zinnias in separate garden areas.
Rosemary: Like lavender, rosemary does well in dry, hot places where zinnias wouldn’t do well. When planted together, one or both of the plants will die because they don’t like the same amount of water or soil. The best way to grow rosemary and zinnias is in separate garden beds or areas.
Better Companion Plants for Zinnias
While some plants don’t complement zinnias, many options make great companions. Here are some top zinnia-friendly choices:
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Marigolds – Help deter pests and nematodes while attracting pollinators. Choose non-inhibiting varieties like Signet marigolds.
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Cosmos – Provide vertical interest without overshadowing zinnias. Attract pollinators.
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Nasturtiums – Repel insects, add color, bloom through summer. Enhance garden ecosystem.
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Petunias – Cover soil to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Complement zinnia blooms.
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Lettuce – Shares space without competing for nutrients or water.
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Salvia – Grows well with zinnias plus attracts beneficial pollinators.
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Beans – Fix nitrogen that benefits zinnias. Attract needed pollinators.
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Sunflowers – Shared sun needs and pollinator appeal but space properly.
Companion Planting Tips
Follow these guidelines for successfully planting zinnia companions:
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Group plants with similar sunlight, space, watering, and soil needs. This avoids unhealthy competition.
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Enrich soil with organic matter to provide enough nutrients for all plants.
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Space plants appropriately based on their mature sizes to prevent overcrowding.
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Remove weeds promptly to eliminate competition for resources.
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Monitor for pest or disease issues frequently and address problems quickly.
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Deadhead spent blooms regularly to prolong flowering period.
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Avoid pairing zinnias with incompatible plants like fennel, lavender and cucumbers.
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Choose companion plants that help attract pollinators for optimal blooms.
With the right companion plant choices and care, your zinnias will thrive and brighten your garden with their vibrant, cheery flowers. Avoid pairing them with plants like mint, tomatoes, and lavender and you’ll be rewarded with a flourishing and productive growing space.
FAQ
What flower pairs well with zinnias?
- Petunias.
- Gomphrena.
- Calibrachoa.
- Sweet Alyssum.
- Coreopsis.
- Nepeta.
- Salvia.
- Daylillies.
What do zinnias repel?
It is claimed that zinnias can repel whiteflies but not many other bugs.
Where is the best place to plant zinnias?
Zinnias’ pointy seeds, shaped like little arrowheads, require only basic garden prep to sprout: sow them in well-drained soil, where there’s full sun and lots of summer heat, and you’ll have tiny seedlings in days, with flowers powering up in just a few weeks.
Do zinnias do better in pots or in the ground?
1. Do zinnias do well in pots? Yes, they do! As long as you give them the right care, they do great in pots.
Can Zinnias grow in a vegetable garden?
These amazing flowers also offer lots of benefits in vegetable gardens. Growing zinnias with vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, and asparagus beans is fine. You can also grow them with flowers like toothpick weed, dahlias, asters, and even purple fountain grass in the same garden space.
What foods should I avoid with Lichen Planus?
If Lichen Planus has affected mouth, avoid hot, hard, acidic, spicy and sharp foods. Avoid alcohol. If affected on skin, use warm water to cleanse the area and keep it moisturized. If scalp is affected, wash hair in basin to avoid further spread and infection.
How to do companion planting with Zinnias?
In this guide, we are going to look at the best ways to do companion planting with zinnias so you can get the most benefits from your garden. When choosing plants to grow with zinnias, make sure they can handle the same USDA zone and that they need the same amount of water, nutrients, and sunlight.
What plants grow well with Zinnias?
Tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, and peppers are just a few garden favorites that grow well with zinnias. Ornamental plants can also be grown as zinnia companion plants, including dahlias, marigolds, and salvias, however, herbs that prefer to grow in dry, sandy soils, like lavender, should be avoided. Check out our favorite zinnia seeds!
Can you plant Zinnias near cauliflower plants?
Using zinnias to fill in the gaps between your cauliflower plants helps keep the soil below in the shade. This allows the zinnias to act as a living mulch, preventing rapid evaporation and keeping the ground cool so cauliflowers can grow well. You can also plant zinnias near your cauliflower plants to act as a trap crop.
Are Zinnia flowers good for your garden?
Sharing is caring! Zinnia flowers (Zinnia) are every gardener’s best friend. This is because these flowers aren’t just beautiful, they also offer numerous benefits. When planting zinnias in your garden, they will attract plenty of pollinators and can help protect other flowers or crops by acting as a trap crop, aiding in pest control.