Lesson 6
Saving zinnia seed
Zinnia seed is large and easy to save. Let a few flowers go to seed late in the season — when the petals brown and dry on the plant. Pull the dried head apart and you'll find arrow-shaped seeds at the base of each former petal.
Open-pollinated varieties ('Benary's Giant', 'Queen Lime') come true from seed. F1 hybrid mixes may not. Save from the strongest, healthiest plants in the row.
Store in labelled paper envelopes — zinnia seed stays viable for 3–5 years in a cool dry kitchen drawer.
Zinnia is the easiest annual to save seed from — bigger and clearer than most. Start with one variety in one bed, and within a year you'll have enough seed for friends, neighbours and three seasons' worth of your own sowings.