Heirloom

Double Zahara™ Cherry

Zinnia marylandica

Photo: Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 2.0)

An easy-to-grow choice for cheerful color in the garden or pots. Highly uniform plants with a low-growing, mounding habit that flower continuously, providing weeks of color. Abundant, cherry-red, fully double blooms average 1 1/2-2 1/2" wide. Zahara dwarf zinnias were bred for powdery mildew resistance and long-lasting color for landscapes and garden beds. AAS Winner.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

11–12

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

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 Double Zahara™ Cherry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Double Zahara™ Cherry · Zones 11–12

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining soil, tolerates various soil types

WaterRegular moisture, avoid waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorCherry red

Size1 1/2-2 1/2"

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

Double Zahara Cherry blooms continuously from a single sowing and doesn't need succession the way a cut-and-come-again crop like lettuce does. That said, if you want a longer overall season, start one round indoors in late February to early March for transplants, then direct sow a second round in mid-May — that flush will carry you deeper into fall once the first planting starts looking ragged. Don't bother direct sowing after daytime highs are reliably above 90°F; germination drops sharply and young seedlings struggle to establish in Georgia's July heat.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Double Zahara™ Cherry reaches harvest at 75 - 85 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

Double Zahara Cherry zinnias are ornamental flowers meant for fresh garden display rather than storage. Once cut, arrange stems in a clean vase with fresh water in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Cut flowers last 7-10 days. For preservation, air-dry flower heads by hanging bundles upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Alternatively, press individual blooms between parchment paper under heavy weights for 1-2 weeks to create flat botanical specimens. You can also preserve them using silica gel, burying flowers in the desiccant for 3-5 days until fully dried for floral arrangements.

History & Origin

Origin: Mexico, southwestern USA

Advantages

+Cherry-red fully double blooms provide vibrant, continuous color for 75-85 days.
+Highly uniform, low-growing mounding habit works perfectly for containers and borders.
+Bred specifically for powdery mildew resistance, reducing common zinnia disease problems.
+AAS Winner status confirms superior performance and reliability in diverse growing conditions.

Considerations

-Fully double blooms may attract less pollinator activity than single-flower varieties.
-Compact size limits height, unsuitable for back-of-border or tall arrangement needs.
-Continuous blooming requires regular deadheading to maintain neat appearance and vigor.

Companion Plants

In our zone 7 Georgia gardens, Double Zahara Cherry does well flanked by marigolds and alyssum — marigolds disrupt aphid and whitefly host-finding with their scent, while alyssum pulls in parasitic wasps that hit those same pests hard once they arrive. Cosmos and cleome fill the vertical space without fighting aggressively for water at 12-18 inch spacing. Black walnut is the one plant to keep at a real distance — juglone leaches from its roots and will stunt or kill zinnias outright — and impatiens just wants too much shade and moisture to share a bed without one of them declining.

Plant Together

Sunflowers

Provide structural support and attract pollinators while sharing similar growing conditions

Cleome

Attract beneficial insects and provide vertical interest without competing for resources

Alyssum

Ground cover that attracts parasitic wasps and beneficial predators

Celosia

Similar growing requirements and bloom period, creating attractive color combinations

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

Basil

Deters aphids, spider mites, and thrips that commonly affect zinnias

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Cosmos

Attract beneficial predatory insects and provide complementary bloom times

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants like zinnias

Impatiens

Compete for similar resources and can harbor spider mites that transfer to zinnias

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby flowering plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew resistance bred in, but susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions

Troubleshooting Double Zahara™ Cherry

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

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up mid-summer when nights cool slightly

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — though Double Zahara has bred-in resistance, heavy humidity and poor airflow can still trigger it on stressed plants
Plants crowded closer than 12 inches apart, blocking air circulation

What to Do

1.Thin or transplant any plants closer than 12 inches so air can move between them
2.Strip affected leaves and bin them — don't compost
3.If it spreads, apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tbsp per gallon) in the early morning so foliage dries before nightfall

Stems collapsing at the soil line, lower foliage yellowing and wilting even when the soil feels moist

Likely Causes

Root rot from Pythium or Rhizoctonia — both thrive in waterlogged, poorly drained soil
Planting in low spots where water pools after rain

What to Do

1.Pull the affected plant — it won't recover once the crown is gone
2.Work in 2-3 inches of coarse compost before replanting, or raise the bed by 4-6 inches if drainage is a recurring problem
3.Water only when the top inch of soil is dry; Double Zahara handles a brief dry spell far better than it handles wet feet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Double Zahara Cherry zinnia flowers last once planted?▼

Double Zahara Cherry zinnias flower continuously throughout the growing season, typically from mid-summer until the first frost. Individual blooms last about a week on the plant, but with continuous flowering, you'll have colorful displays for 3-4 months. In warmer climates (zones 10-11), they may bloom even longer. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms.

Are Double Zahara Cherry zinnias good for beginners?▼

Yes, they're excellent for beginners. These are easy-to-grow plants that thrive with minimal care. They're an AAS Winner known for reliability and uniform growth. They tolerate various soil conditions, prefer full sun but accept partial shade, and only need regular watering. Their disease resistance to powdery mildew makes them particularly forgiving for novice gardeners.

Can you grow Double Zahara Cherry zinnias in containers?▼

Absolutely. Their low-growing, mounding habit makes them ideal for container gardening. Use well-draining potting soil and containers at least 8-10 inches deep. They perform well in pots on patios, balconies, and in mixed container plantings. Container plants may need more frequent watering than garden-planted specimens, especially in hot weather.

When should I plant Double Zahara Cherry zinnia seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm. Zinnias prefer warm soil and germinate quickly in warm conditions (7-10 days). Wait to plant outdoors until soil temperature is at least 70°F for best results.

How much sun do Double Zahara Cherry zinnias need?▼

They perform best in full sun (6+ hours daily) where they'll produce the most abundant blooms and maintain their compact shape. They can tolerate partial shade (4-6 hours), though flowering may be reduced in very shady locations. More sun generally equals more flowers and better plant health.

What makes Double Zahara Cherry zinnias different from other zinnia varieties?▼

Double Zahara Cherry zinnias are bred specifically for powdery mildew resistance, making them more disease-resistant than many traditional zinnias. Their fully double (pompom-like) cherry-red blooms, dwarf size, and uniform low-growing mounding habit distinguish them. They're also bred for continuous flowering and landscape reliability.