How to Grow Benary's Giant Coral
Zinnia elegans
Your complete guide to growing Benary's Giant Coral.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsWhen to Plant Benary's Giant Coral
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January | February – April | — |
| Zone 11 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January | January – March | — |
Companion Plants for Benary's Giant Coral
✓ Good companions
Repels thrips, aphids, and spider mites that can damage zinnia foliage
Similar heat and sun requirements, complementary colors and textures in garden design
Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, provides height variation without competing for resources
Similar growing requirements and bloom times, attract beneficial pollinators
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and other pests that commonly attack zinnias
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from zinnias
Provide beneficial shade and wind protection, attract pollinators and beneficial insects
Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps that control zinnia pests
✗ Keep away from
Release juglone toxin through roots which inhibits zinnia growth and causes wilting
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and seed germination of most flowering plants
Prefer shade and consistent moisture, opposite growing conditions create competition stress
