How to Grow Benary's Giant Orange
Zinnia elegans
Your complete guide to growing Benary's Giant Orange.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsWhen to Plant Benary's Giant Orange
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 Orange
✓ Good companions
Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids and other pests
Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while attracting beneficial pollinators
Repels aphids and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects and pollinators
Similar growing requirements and attracts beneficial insects without resource competition
Attract beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps, complement zinnia bloom times
Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracting them away from zinnias
Provide beneficial insects habitat and attract pollinators without competing for resources
✗ Keep away from
Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill zinnias and other sensitive plants
Releases allelopathic chemicals through roots and leaf litter that suppress zinnia growth
Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and growth of nearby flowers
