10 Plants That THRIVE in Full Summer Sun

2. Zinnia: Cheerful Blooms Galore

Alright, let’s chat about one of the absolute happiest flowers you can plant in a sunny spot – Zinnias! If Lantana is the unstoppable workhorse, Zinnia is the cheerful friend that just brightens everything up.¹

Honestly, who doesn’t love Zinnias? They remind me a little bit of being a kid and planting those mystery seed packets – Zinnias were always a welcome surprise! They are just pure, unadulterated joy in flower form, and talk about full sun champions – they absolutely soak it up and ask for more. They bring such classic charm to the garden.

Sunshine Lovers with Endless Style

Just like Lantana, Zinnias adore that full sun exposure. They really do need at least 6-8 hours of direct sun to put on their best show. And they handle the heat pretty darn well too, making them another fantastic choice for those baking summer days.

But the variety with Zinnias? Oh my goodness, it’s incredible! You can find them in nearly every color imaginable – not just basic red and yellow, but gorgeous bold pinks, deep reds, vibrant oranges, sunny yellows, clean whites, and even shades of coral, lime green, and stunning bi-colors.² And the shapes! You’ve got simple daisy-like petals, fluffy pom-poms, doubles that look like dahlias, and even quirky cactus-flowered types with rolled petals. Plus, they come in all sizes, from cute little dwarf varieties perfect for the front of the border to super tall kinds like ‘Benary’s Giant’ that are practically begging to be cut for bouquets.³

Speaking of bouquets, Zinnias are absolute rockstars as cut flowers. I try to always have a patch growing just so I can snip a few stems and bring that garden cheerfulness indoors. They last ages in a vase and just keep pumping out more blooms in the garden!

Growing Gorgeous Zinnias (A Few Tricks I Learned)

One of the coolest things about Zinnias? They are ridiculously easy to grow from seed. Seriously, if you’re new to starting plants from seed, Zinnias are a fantastic place to begin. You can just pop the seeds directly into the garden soil after the danger of frost has passed, keep ’em watered, and boom – you’ll have sprouts in no time.⁴ It’s super satisfying watching them come up!

Now, here’s a tip I definitely learned the hard way: Zinnias need good air circulation. They can be prone to this annoying powdery mildew, that white dusty stuff that coats the leaves, especially when it’s humid.⁵ My first time growing them, I planted them way too close together, thinking more was better. Wrong! They got mildewy pretty fast. So give them some elbow room when you plant – check the seed packet or plant tag for recommended spacing.

Another trick to keep them healthy is to water at the base of the plant. Try to avoid getting the leaves wet if you can, especially later in the day. A soaker hose works great, or just aim your watering can spout near the soil line. This simple step really helps keep fungal diseases away and promotes healthy plants.

Keep Those Cheerful Blooms Coming!

Want to know the secret to getting the most flowers out of your Zinnias all summer long? Deadheading! That just means snipping off the faded, old flowers. I know, it sounds like a chore, but with Zinnias, it makes a huge difference. Every time you snip off an old bloom, you’re basically telling the plant, “Hey, make more flowers!”

And honestly? I don’t even think of it as deadheading. I think of it as harvesting! Just take some little scissors out with you every few days and snip off any blooms that are past their prime, bringing the good ones inside for a cheerful bouquet. You get continuous blooming and lovely flowers for your table – win-win! They don’t need super rich soil, just average garden soil with decent drainage works fine.

So, if you’re looking for easy, non-stop color, tons of variety, and flowers you can bring indoors, you just can’t beat Zinnias. They are such a rewarding plant for sunny spots!

Now, ready to talk about a plant that’s even tougher when it comes to heat and dry conditions? Something perfect for those tricky spots where nothing else seems to survive? Click the “next” button below, and let’s explore the surprising beauty of Portulaca, also known as Moss Rose…