Heirloom

Persian Carpet

Zinnia haageana

a blue and orange tile with flowers on it

Charming addition to country bouquets and gardens. Fully double and semidouble 2" bicolors in red, orange, pale yellow, gold, chocolate, and cream. Vigorous, healthy, upright plants are slightly taller than Jazzy Mix. AAS Winner. Also known as Mexican zinnia.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–12

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-18 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 Persian Carpet in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Persian Carpet · Zones 2–12

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, fertile to moderately fertile

WaterRegular, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorRed, orange, pale yellow, gold, chocolate, and cream bicolors

Size2"

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

Direct sow every 2-3 weeks from April 1 through early June in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are consistently hitting 90°F — Persian Carpet handles heat better than most zinnias, but germination gets spotty above that threshold. A late May or early June sowing will carry you through first frost, which in north Georgia typically falls around mid-October, giving you a solid late flush of blooms for cut flowers or CSA bundles.

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: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Persian Carpet reaches harvest at 75 - 85 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh Persian Carpet zinnias, store cut stems in a cool location (65-70°F) with high humidity in a vase of fresh water. Keep away from direct sunlight and ethylene-producing fruits. Flowers typically last 7-10 days indoors. For preservation, air-dry bundles in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual blooms between parchment paper under heavy books for 2-4 weeks to create flat decorative specimens. Silica gel drying preserves color vibrancy and takes 3-5 days.

History & Origin

Persian Carpet 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

+Stunning fully double and semidouble bicolor blooms in rich warm tones
+AAS Winner status confirms superior performance and reliability in gardens
+Vigorous, healthy plants with upright growth habit require minimal maintenance
+Extended blooming season of 75-85 days provides prolonged garden color
+Charming rustic flowers perfect for country-style bouquets and arrangements

Considerations

-Slightly taller plants may require staking in windy locations or storms
-Mexican zinnia heritage makes it susceptible to powdery mildew in humidity
-Prefers well-draining soil and struggles in heavy clay or wet conditions
-Deadheading required to maintain continuous blooming throughout season

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the strongest pairing here — their root secretions deter soil nematodes, and the two together make a dense, color-mixed border that aphids have a harder time zeroing in on. Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps that knock back those same aphids, which matters in our zone 7 Georgia gardens where pressure picks up fast by late April. Sunflowers are worth keeping away — they produce allelopathic compounds from their roots that can stunt neighboring annuals; Black Walnut compounds the problem through juglone, which is toxic enough to kill zinnias outright within its root zone.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles while repelling cucumber beetles

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary colors without competing for nutrients

Zinnias

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing continuous blooms

Catnip

Repels ants, mosquitoes, and rodents while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Produce allelopathic chemicals and compete aggressively for water and nutrients

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, powdery mildew, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, leaf spot

Troubleshooting Persian Carpet

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 down slightly

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — airborne fungal spores that thrive when humidity is high but leaves stay dry
Crowded spacing below 18 inches that cuts off airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Remove and bag the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Spray foliage with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Next season, stick to the full 18-24 inch spacing and avoid overhead irrigation in the evening

Stippled, bronzy leaves that look dusty on the undersides, especially during a hot dry stretch

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temperatures push above 90°F and plants are water-stressed
Dusty conditions near gravel paths or bare soil that encourage mite buildup

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water from your hose — do this 3 days in a row
2.If mites persist, apply insecticidal soap (2-3% concentration) directly to leaf undersides early morning so it doesn't burn off in the heat
3.Water consistently at the base; drought-stressed Persian Carpet drops its defenses faster than well-irrigated plants

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Persian Carpet zinnias last as cut flowers?▼

Persian Carpet zinnias typically last 7-10 days in a vase when kept in cool conditions with fresh water and minimal handling. To extend vase life, change the water every 2-3 days, trim stems at a 45-degree angle, and remove any foliage that would sit below the waterline. Keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources helps preserve their vibrant bicolored blooms.

Can I grow Persian Carpet zinnias in containers?▼

Yes, Persian Carpet zinnias grow well in containers. They reach 24-36 inches tall and are slightly taller than Jazzy Mix, so use pots at least 12-15 inches deep with drainage holes. Plant 1-2 plants per pot, provide full sun (6+ hours daily), and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Container zinnias may need occasional fertilizing during the growing season.

When should I plant Persian Carpet zinnia seeds?▼

Start Persian Carpet zinnia seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow outdoors after all danger of frost has passed when soil is warm. Seeds germinate best in warm soil (70-75°F). For fall blooms, you can sow seeds directly in mid-summer in warmer climates. Plants bloom approximately 75-85 days from planting.

Are Persian Carpet zinnias good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Persian Carpet zinnias are excellent for beginners. They're marked as easy to grow and vigorous, health-conscious plants. These AAS Winner flowers thrive in full sun to partial shade, tolerate various conditions, and don't require extensive pest or disease management. They're reliable producers of long-lasting blooms with minimal fuss.

What makes Persian Carpet zinnias different from other zinnia varieties?▼

Persian Carpet zinnias feature unique fully double and semidouble 2-inch bicolored blooms in striking combinations of red, orange, pale yellow, gold, chocolate, and cream. They're slightly taller than the Jazzy Mix variety, adding more presence to arrangements and gardens. As an AAS Winner and heirloom type, they combine classic charm with proven garden performance.

How much sun do Persian Carpet zinnias need?▼

Persian Carpet zinnias perform best in full sun but tolerate partial shade, requiring 4-6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. While they can bloom with less light, full sun exposure (6-8 hours) promotes fuller plants, more abundant flowering, and vibrant bicolor displays. In hot climates, afternoon shade can prevent flower fading and extend bloom duration.