12 Different Types Of Zinnia Flowers

Zinnias are one of the most cheerful and easy-to-grow flowers you can plant. They thrive in Singapore’s sunny climate and offer a spectacular show of colour in nearly every shade imaginable. From tall, elegant stems perfect for bouquets to compact blooms ideal for HDB balconies, there is a zinnia for every purpose. 

This guide will walk you through the main types of zinnia flowers, categorised by their species, flower shape, and height, helping you choose the perfect variety to brighten your home and garden.

Understanding the Main Zinnia Classifications

Before diving into specific varieties, it helps to understand how these beautiful flowers are grouped. Botanists and gardeners typically classify zinnias by their species, the structure of their flower heads, and their overall plant size. 

Knowing these basic categories makes it much simpler to navigate the hundreds of zinnia types available and find the one that perfectly suits your needs.

By Species

Most of the zinnias you see in gardens and florist shops today are derived from just a few key species native to the Americas. Each species brings its own unique characteristics, from classic large blooms to hardy, spreading groundcovers.

By Flower Shape and Petal Formation

The shape of a zinnia’s flower head can vary dramatically, which is one of the reasons they are so versatile. The main difference lies in the number of petal rows and whether the central disc is visible.

Popular Zinnia Varieties by Height

One of the most practical ways to choose a zinnia is by its height. Whether you have a spacious garden or a small balcony, there is a zinnia variety that will fit perfectly into your space and serve your intended purpose, be it for a tall backdrop or a compact container display.

Unique Zinnia Flower Forms and Colours

Beyond the standard shapes, the diversity of zinnias extends to some truly unique and eye-catching forms. These novelty types can add a touch of the unexpected to your garden or floral designs.

12 Types of Zinnia Flowers

1. Zinnia elegans (Common Zinnia): The Garden Favourite

When you picture a zinnia, you are most likely thinking of Zinnia elegans. This is the most popular and widely cultivated species, known for its upright growth and large, vibrant flowers that come in a rainbow of colours, including pink, red, orange, yellow, purple, and white. 

They have been bred extensively to produce a vast range of sizes and flower shapes, from dahlia-like doubles to simple, daisy-like singles. It is the go-to species for cut flower gardens and vibrant floral arrangements.

2. Zinnia angustifolia (Creeping or Narrow-Leaf Zinnia): The Hardy Groundcover

Zinnia angustifolia is a true champion in warm, humid climates like Singapore’s. This species is characterised by its lower, more spreading growth habit and its slender, narrow leaves. The flowers are smaller and typically come in shades of yellow, orange, and white. 

Its greatest asset is its incredible resistance to common fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which can often affect other zinnias. This makes it an excellent choice for a low-maintenance, long-blooming border or groundcover plant that can handle the heat.

3. Zinnia haageana (Mexican Zinnia): The Bicolour Beauty

Also known as the Mexican zinnia, Zinnia haageana is prized for its more compact size and striking bicoloured flowers. The petals often feature a contrasting tip or base colour, creating a beautiful two-toned effect. 

Common colour combinations include warm autumnal shades of red, mahogany, orange, and gold. These smaller plants are perfect for adding a touch of intricate detail to the front of a garden bed or for growing in containers where their unique patterns can be admired up close.

4. Single-Flowered Zinnias

Single-flowered zinnias have a classic, daisy-like appearance. They feature a single row of petals surrounding a visible, open centre, known as the disc. 

This open centre is rich in nectar and pollen, making single-flowered varieties particularly attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. They offer a simple, charming look that works well in informal cottage gardens and wildlife-friendly spaces.

5. Semi-Double-Flowered Zinnias

Semi-double zinnias offer a fuller look than their single-flowered counterparts. They have two or more rows of petals, which adds depth and texture to the bloom. 

However, the centre disc is still partially visible. This flower form provides a beautiful balance, offering more volume than a single bloom while still retaining an open structure that is accessible to pollinators. Many popular zinnia series fall into this versatile and attractive category.

6. Double-Flowered Zinnias

For a truly spectacular and lush appearance, double-flowered zinnias are the perfect choice. These blooms have numerous rows of overlapping petals that completely obscure the centre disc, creating a full, rounded shape. 

Depending on the variety, they can resemble dahlias, chrysanthemums, or even small pom-poms. These are the types most often used by florists for creating dense, luxurious bouquets and arrangements.

7. Tall Zinnia Varieties: Perfect for Cutting Gardens

Growing up to 1.2 metres, tall zinnia varieties are born to be stars of the cutting garden. Their long, strong stems make them ideal for creating impressive vase arrangements that last for over a week.

The Benary's Giant series is a favourite among professional florists and flower farmers. These plants produce enormous, fully double, dahlia-like flowers on exceptionally sturdy stems. They were bred specifically for the cut flower industry, ensuring consistency in form and colour. Popular choices include the elegant 'Benary's Giant Lime' and the bold 'Benary's Giant Scarlet'.

Another classic choice is the California Giants series. This heirloom variety produces large, semi-double to double flowers on tall, robust plants. They offer a slightly more rustic and informal charm compared to the perfectly formed Benary's Giants, making them wonderful for relaxed, garden-style bouquets.

For a reliable and towering display in the back of a garden border, the State Fair series is an excellent option. These zinnias are known for their vigorous growth, reaching impressive heights and producing large, double flower heads that stand up well to the elements.

8. Medium Zinnia Varieties: The Versatile All-Rounders

Medium-sized zinnias, typically growing between 45 and 75 cm, are incredibly versatile. They are large enough to be used for cutting but also compact enough to look great in garden beds and large containers without needing extensive support.

The Queeny series has become incredibly fashionable for its unique, antique colour palettes. Varieties like 'Queeny Lime Orange' and 'Queeny Lime Red' feature dusty, muted tones with hints of green, creating a sophisticated and vintage feel. Their semi-double, crested blooms add another layer of visual interest.

For a truly unique shape, the Zinderella series is unmatched. These have scabiosa-type flowers, with a central frilly "pincushion" surrounded by a skirt of larger, daisy-like petals. Soft, romantic colours like 'Zinderella Peach' and 'Zinderella Lilac' make them a stunning addition to any bouquet.

If you want a huge number of flowers, the Oklahoma series is a fantastic choice. These plants are incredibly productive, producing masses of smaller, 2-inch, pom-pom-style double blooms. They are a "cut-and-come-again" workhorse, meaning the more you harvest, the more flowers the plant will produce.

9. Dwarf Zinnia Varieties: Ideal for Containers and Borders

Dwarf zinnias, which stay under 40 cm tall, are the perfect solution for urban gardeners in Singapore. They thrive in pots on HDB balconies, in window boxes, or as a neat and colourful edging for a garden path.

The Profusion series is an award-winning superstar in the world of zinnias. These plants form tidy, mounded habits and are famed for their outstanding resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue in our humid climate. They bloom non-stop all season long, covering themselves in single or double flowers. 'Profusion Double Hot Cherry' is a particularly vibrant and reliable choice.

Similarly, the Zahara series is celebrated for its toughness. It boasts excellent heat, drought, and disease tolerance, making it another foolproof option for Singaporean gardens. The plants are vigorous and produce an abundance of bright, cheerful blooms. 'Zahara Starlight Rose' is an award-winning bicolour variety with white petals and a striking rose-pink base.

For the tiniest of spaces, the Thumbelina series is an adorable heirloom choice. Growing only about 15 cm tall, these are the most compact zinnias you can find. They produce cute, semi-double flowers and are perfect for small pots or as a fun gardening project for children.

10. Cactus-Flowered Zinnias

Cactus-flowered zinnias are immediately recognisable by their distinctive petals. The petals are rolled, or "quilled," and twisted, with the tips pointing outwards. This creates a spiky, starburst effect that is both dramatic and beautiful. Varieties like the 'Redman Super Cactus' offer a fiery and textural element that stands out from the crowd.

11. Scabiosa-Flowered Zinnias

As mentioned with the Zinderella series, scabiosa-flowered zinnias have a fascinating form that mimics the Scabiosa, or Pincushion Flower. The fluffy, crested centre is surrounded by a halo of larger, flat petals. This intricate structure adds depth and a touch of whimsy to any arrangement.

12. Striped and Bicolour Zinnias

For a playful and fun look, striped zinnias are a must-have. The Peppermint Stick variety is a classic heirloom that produces flowers with cream or yellow flower bases, all creatively streaked, spotted, and splashed with shades of pink, red, and orange.

No two flowers are ever exactly alike. Another bold option is Pop Art White & Red, which features large white flowers dramatically splashed with bright red for a modern, graphic effect.

Choosing the Right Zinnia for Your Singaporean Home

With so many choices, selecting the perfect zinnia is easy when you consider your space and needs.

For those living in HDB flats or apartments, dwarf varieties are the ideal choice. The Profusion and Zahara series are perfect for containers on a sunny balcony, as their disease resistance helps them cope with the humidity, and their neat, mounded shape keeps them looking tidy. The tiny Thumbelina series can even be grown in a small window box.

If you dream of having fresh flowers to bring indoors, dedicating a small patch of your garden to tall varieties is incredibly rewarding. The Benary's Giant and Oklahoma series will provide you with a season-long supply of beautiful, long-stemmed blooms for your vases. Remember to harvest flowers in the morning and choose blooms with firm stems for the longest vase life.

To bring more life into your garden, consider planting single-flowered zinnias. Their open centres are a welcoming invitation for butterflies and other friendly pollinators. Watching these beautiful creatures flit from flower to flower is one of the simple joys of gardening.

For gardeners who prefer a low-maintenance approach, the choice is clear. The modern hybrids, especially the Profusion and Zahara series, have been specifically bred for toughness. Their exceptional tolerance for heat and humidity, combined with their strong resistance to fungal diseases like powdery mildew, makes them the most resilient and easiest zinnias to grow in Singapore's tropical climate.

Conclusion On The Types of Zinnia Flowers

Zinnias truly offer something for every gardener and flower lover. From the towering, elegant Benary's Giants perfect for cutting to the compact and disease-resistant Profusion series ideal for HDB balconies, their versatility is unmatched. 

Their diverse forms, including cactus-flowered and scabiosa types, provide endless creative possibilities. With their easy-going nature and stunning range of colours, zinnias are a simple and effective way to bring joy and vibrancy to any Singaporean home.

If you have any questions or would like to order a beautiful bouquet, please contact us. To see a stunning selection of floral arrangements for any occasion, visit Singapore Florist.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Types of Zinnia Flowers

What Are The 3 Types Of Zinnias?

While there are many zinnia species, the three most common types grown in gardens are Zinnia elegans (the common zinnia with large flowers), Zinnia angustifolia (a creeping, disease-resistant type with smaller flowers), and Zinnia haageana (the Mexican zinnia, known for its bicoloured petals). You can also categorise them by flower shape: single, semi-double, and fully double blooms.

What Is The Most Popular Type Of Zinnia?

The most popular type of zinnia is undoubtedly the Zinnia elegans, or common zinnia. Within this species, varieties like the 'Benary's Giant' series are extremely popular among florists for their large, double flowers and long stems, while the 'Profusion' series is a favourite for home gardeners due to its disease resistance and compact growth.

What Are The Easiest Zinnias To Grow?

The easiest zinnias to grow, especially in Singapore's humid climate, are the modern hybrid series like 'Profusion' and 'Zahara'. These varieties have been specifically bred for exceptional disease resistance, particularly against powdery mildew, and are very tolerant of heat. They bloom prolifically with very little care, making them perfect for beginners.

Do Zinnias Come Back Every Year In Singapore?

Zinnias are annuals, which means they complete their entire life cycle in one year and do not come back the following year. However, they grow so quickly from seed and bloom for such a long period in Singapore's climate that they provide colour for many months. You can also easily collect seeds from your spent flowers to plant for the next season.

What Is The Prettiest Zinnia?

Beauty is subjective, but many people find unique varieties to be the prettiest. The 'Queeny Lime Orange' is adored for its antique, dusty rose and lime colouring. The 'Zinderella Peach' is cherished for its unique scabiosa-like shape and soft, romantic hue. Others might find the bold, dahlia-like blooms of the 'Benary's Giant' series to be the most beautiful.

How Many Types Of Zinnias Are There?

There are about 20 species of zinnia, but through decades of breeding, there are now hundreds, if not thousands, of different cultivars (cultivated varieties). These cultivars vary in colour, size, flower form, and height, offering a seemingly endless array of options for gardeners and flower enthusiasts to choose from.