Heirloom

Benary's Giant Lime

Zinnia elegans

Photo: Aathavan jaffna · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Benary's Giant Lime is a vibrant lime-green flowering variety prized for its large, fully double blooms that create stunning visual impact in gardens. Reaching maturity in 75-90 days, this heirloom cultivar produces abundant flowers with a striking chartreuse hue, setting it apart from traditional flower colors. The massive flower heads make it an exceptional choice for bold landscape displays and cut flower arrangements. Best grown in full sun with well-draining, fertile soil for optimal blooming.

Harvest

75-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Benary's Giant Lime in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Lime · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-draining, fertile soil

WaterRegular, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorLime-green

Size4-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow after soil temps reach 70°F — germination stalls below that. In zone 7, direct sowing runs from April through early June. A second sowing 3–4 weeks after the first keeps fresh blooms coming through summer, since the initial planting tends to peak and fade by late July.

Don't push past late June for new sowings. Seeds started after that won't hit the 75–90 day mark before fall frost, and seedlings that germinate in July heat rarely develop the same stem strength as ones that got established in cooler spring soil.

Complete Growing Guide

Recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. High yields of long, sturdy stems with 4-6" fully double, dahlia-like blooms. Excellent vase life. Vigorous plants hold up well in summer heat and rain. Low susceptibility to powdery mildew. Cut-and-come-again flower, yielding multiple cuts over the season. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Benary's Giant Lime is 75 - 90 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Benary's Giant Lime reaches harvest at 75 - 90 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 4-6" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly cut stems in a clean vase with cool water (65-72°F) on a cool counter or in a refrigerator at 34-40°F for extended vase life up to 2 weeks. Maintain 60-70% humidity in cold storage to prevent dehydration. For preservation, air-dry mature blooms by hanging bunches upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, use silica gel to preserve blooms within 5-7 days for vibrant color retention. Press individual petals between wax paper for decorative use in crafts or resin projects.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Lime is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico

Advantages

+Produces long, sturdy stems ideal for professional cut flower arrangements
+Fully double dahlia-like blooms reach impressive 4-6 inches in size
+Excellent vase life means cut flowers last longer than typical zinnias
+Vigorous plants naturally resist powdery mildew, reducing fungicide needs
+Cut-and-come-again habit provides multiple harvests throughout the growing season

Considerations

-Lime color may have limited appeal compared to traditional zinnia hues
-Requires 75-90 days to mature, extending time before first substantial harvest
-Tall sturdy stems may need staking or support in windy locations
-Dense double blooms can trap moisture, increasing botrytis risk in humid climates

Companion Plants

Marigolds deter aphids and whiteflies through sulfur compounds in their foliage, and sweet alyssum's tiny flowers attract parasitic wasps that hunt both pests — so those two earn adjacent rows for practical reasons, not just aesthetics. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, pulling aphids onto themselves so you can deal with the infestation in one place rather than across the whole bed. Cosmos and celosia are low-drama neighbors that share zinnia's sun and water requirements without undercutting root space. Skip fennel — it releases allelopathic compounds that suppress many annuals — and give black walnut trees a wide berth, since juglone toxicity will stunt zinnias anywhere within the drip line.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting zinnias

Cosmos

Similar growing conditions and bloom times, attract diverse pollinators

Sunflowers

Provide beneficial shade and windbreak, attract pest-eating birds

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting beneficial pollinators

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

Cleome

Similar height and growing conditions, extends pollinator season

Celosia

Compatible growth habits and attracts butterflies and beneficial insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill zinnias

Impatiens

Compete for similar nutrients and can harbor fungal diseases that spread to zinnias

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most flowering annuals including zinnias

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew (low susceptibility), fusarium wilt, botrytis

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Lime

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — fungal spores spread by wind, thrives in humid nights with dry days
Crowded spacing that traps moisture and blocks airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Strip and bag the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Cut back surrounding stems so air can move through; 18 inches between plants is the minimum
3.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tsp per quart of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading

Plant wilts suddenly, doesn't recover overnight, and the lower stem turns brown or tan at soil level

Likely Causes

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) — a soil-borne fungus that blocks water uptake by colonizing vascular tissue
Overwatered or poorly draining soil that keeps roots wet long enough for the pathogen to establish

What to Do

1.Pull the plant immediately — Fusarium spreads to neighboring roots if you leave it in place
2.Don't replant zinnias or other susceptible flowers in that same spot for at least 2 seasons
3.Before replanting, work in 2–3 inches of compost and raise the bed 4–6 inches to improve drainage

Sticky residue on stems and new growth, small soft-bodied clusters on shoot tips, or fine webbing on leaf undersides

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae) — reproduce fast in warm weather, especially on plants that are drought-stressed or over-fertilized with nitrogen
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — the webbing is the giveaway; populations spike in hot, dry conditions above 85°F

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray of water from a hose — do it in the morning so foliage dries before evening
2.For spider mites, increase irrigation first; drought stress is usually what lets them establish
3.If either pest persists after a week, apply insecticidal soap directly to leaf undersides, repeating every 5–7 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do cut Benary's Giant Lime flowers last in a vase?▼

With proper care, these dahlia-like blooms typically last 10-14 days in a vase filled with cool water and floral preservative. Store arrangements in a cool location away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight to maximize vase life. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stem ends at an angle for continued water absorption.

Is Benary's Giant Lime easy to grow for beginners?▼

Yes, absolutely. This variety is rated as easy to grow and was specifically bred for home and professional growers. It's vigorous, heat-tolerant, naturally resistant to powdery mildew, and produces continuous blooms with proper deadheading. Beginners will appreciate the reliable performance and generous yields from a single plant.

Can you grow Benary's Giant Lime in containers?▼

Yes, you can grow this variety in large containers (at least 12-18 inches deep) with well-draining potting soil. Choose a location with 6+ hours of full sun daily. Container plants require regular watering and may benefit from weekly feeding during peak bloom season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous production throughout the season.

When should I plant Benary's Giant Lime seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow after all danger of frost has passed. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they have 2-3 true leaves and soil temperature reaches 60°F. For continuous blooms, succession-plant every 2-3 weeks through early summer. Plants will flower within 75-90 days from sowing.

What color are Benary's Giant Lime blooms?▼

Benary's Giant Lime produces vibrant lime-green flowers, a unique and striking color that stands out in arrangements. The double, dahlia-like blooms measure 4-6 inches across with excellent color retention in both fresh and dried forms. This unusual hue makes them highly valued by professional florists for contemporary and artistic floral designs.

How many flowers will one Benary's Giant Lime plant produce?▼

These prolific cut-and-come-again plants yield multiple harvests throughout the season when properly deadheaded. A mature, healthy plant can produce dozens of stems across the 75-90 day growing season and beyond. Regular cutting and removal of spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers, making this an excellent choice for continuous home arrangements.