Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Flowers

Zinnia

Zinnia is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae, with about 22 species.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Zinnias are a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family, known for their bright, long-lasting blooms. Native primarily to Mexico, they are popular garden annuals in Canada.

What is a Zinnia?

Zinnia is a genus in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, comprising about 22 species of herbs, shrubs, and subshrubs. The genus name honours German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn. Most garden zinnias derive from species like Zinnia elegans, bred for showy flower heads.

Where do Zinnias come from?

Zinnias are native primarily to North and South America, with Mexico as the centre of diversity. They grow in dry grassland and scrub habitats. In their native range they are perennials, but in Canadian gardens they are grown as warm-season annuals.

Why grow Zinnias?

Zinnias are valued for their long bloom period, heat and sun tolerance, and wide range of colours and flower forms—from single to double, cactus-style, and pompom blooms. They are easy to grow and attract pollinators, making them a staple for summer colour in beds and borders.

In short

  • Genus of about 22 species in the Asteraceae family.
  • Native to North and South America, especially Mexico.
  • Popular ornamental for bright colours and heat tolerance.
  • Grown as annuals in Canadian gardens.
Canadian angle

Zinnias are widely grown in Canadian gardens as warm-season annuals and are valued for summer colour in beds, borders, and pollinator plantings.

Quick questions

What is a zinnia?
A zinnia is a flowering plant genus in the daisy family, known for bright ornamental blooms.
Where do zinnias come from?
Zinnias are native primarily to North and South America, especially Mexico.
Are zinnias annuals or perennials?
They are perennial in their native range, but are usually grown as annuals in gardens.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/zinnia
    Supports: Genus placement, approximate species count, native range, and growth habit
  2. Chicago Botanic Garden — https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-profiles/zinnia
    Supports: Origin, garden history, cultivars, flower colours and forms
  3. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/zinnia/
    Supports: Annual growth habit in cultivation, family, native range, and naming origin
  4. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/zinnia/341109
    Supports: Family, native range, perennial in native range, flower and size characteristics