Zinnia
Zinnia elegans Jacq.
Zinnia elegans (common zinnia), also called youth-and-old-age, is an annual aster-family herb 30–100 cm tall; its opposite pointed leaves and large solitary multicoloured flower heads make it a popular ornamental and cut flower worldwide.
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Zinnia — seedlingZinnia — seedlingsZinnia — flowerOverview
Zinnia elegans, also called common zinnia or youth-and-old-age, is an **annual** herb of the aster family (Asteraceae), genus Zinnia, 30–100 cm tall with erect, **stiffly hairy** stems. Its **leaves are opposite**, ovate-lanceolate, sessile and clasping. The **flower head** is borne singly at the tip, 5–10 cm across, with many layers of **ray florets** in red, orange, yellow, pink, purple or white around a **disc of yellow-brown tubular florets**. The **fruit is a small achene**, egg-shaped, flat and smooth. The species is native to **Mexico** and is grown as an **ornamental and cut flower** worldwide.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
In Vietnam, Zinnia elegans is commonly grown in home gardens, parks and flower beds because its flowers are **long-lasting and colourful** and the plant is easy to grow. It prefers **full sun** and loose, well-drained soil, flowering for many months in the warm season and attracting bees and butterflies. The flowers are used for bouquets, decoration and gifts. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE).
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/13/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productSeed & germination
The small **seeds** are sown on warm, moist soil; seedlings emerge within days.
Young plant & leaves
The young plant grows an erect stem with **opposite pairs of ovate-lanceolate leaves**.
Flowering
A solitary **flower head** opens with many layers of vivid **ray florets** around a yellow-brown **disc**; it attracts pollinators.
Mass flowering & fruiting
Flowers open in successive waves through the warm season; small **achenes** then form and the seeds fall to germinate the next season.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- Mexico (native)30%
- North America (cultivated)25%
- Asia (cultivated)25%
- Europe (cultivated)10%
- Elsewhere (cultivated)10%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- FlavonoidsAntioxidant, contributes to flower colour25%
- CarotenoidsYellow-orange pigments of ray florets20%
- AnthocyaninsRed, pink and purple flower colours20%
- Essential oilsMild scent of leaves and flowers15%
- SaponinsPresent in stems and leaves10%
- MineralsPotassium, magnesium and calcium10%
Uses
- Ornamental: its **large, colourful and lasting heads** make zinnia a common plant for gardens, parks and flower beds.
- Cut flowers: the blooms are **long-lasting** in water, so they are widely used in bouquets and decoration.
- Landscaping: used in flower beds, borders and pots in parks, schools and grounds.
- Ecology: the flowers attract **bees and butterflies**, supporting garden pollination.
- Education & hobby: easy to grow from seed, often used to teach gardening to beginners.
Properties
- Morphology
- Erect stem, **opposite leaves**; **large multi-layered flower heads**
- Colour
- Varied: red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white
- Ecology
- Sun-loving, easy to grow, long-flowering in the warm season
- Ornamental
- Long-lasting flowers, good for vases and beds
Habitat & conservation
Zinnia elegans prefers **full sun**, a warm climate and loose, well-drained soil; it is easy to grow from seed and flowers for many months in the warm season. Native to **Mexico**, it is now grown worldwide as an ornamental, commonly in home gardens, parks and disturbed ground near settlements.
Conservation
Zinnia elegans is not threatened; it is a widely grown ornamental. It has not been assessed by the IUCN and is therefore listed as Not Evaluated (NE). Family Asteraceae, genus Zinnia. Value: cut flowers, ornamentals and nectar for insects.
References
- 1POWO — Zinnia elegans Jacq. — Plants of the World Online (Kew), 2026
- 2GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Zinnia elegans Jacq. (key 3111754) — GBIF, 2026
- 3Wikipedia EN — Zinnia elegans — Wikipedia EN, 2026
- 4Wikipedia VI — Cúc ngũ sắc — Wikipedia VI, 2026
- 5Wikipedia ZH — 百日菊 — Wikipedia ZH, 2026
- 6Ảnh: An image of a zinnia flower; A group of Zinnia flowers — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026
- 7Ảnh: Leaves of zinnia flower; Zinnia elegans seedlings (9191, 0579, 6396) — Wikimedia Commons — Wikimedia Commons, 2026