Guide to Growing Creeping Zinnia - Sanvitalia

Members of the Sanvitalia genus are hardy or half hardy annuals that reach about 15cm in height.

Sanvitalia plants have a prostate nature and come into bloom from summer to the first months of autumn.

Leaves are oval shaped and flowers are orange or yellow with brown centres.

Some of the common names for Sanvitalia include Creeping Zinnia and Golden Stars.

Sanvitalia by Suneko; Creative Commons.

Sanvitalia by knoxilla; Creative Commons.

Quick Sanvitalia Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Creeping Zinnia: Yellow; Alberts; Mexican. Golden Stars.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual, hardy annual.
Height: 6 to 12 inches (30 cm).
Native: Central and Northern America.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.
Flowers: Summer and autumn.
Flower Details: Yellow, gold, orange. Daisy-like ray and disc florets. Notched tips.
Foliage: Oval to lanceolate.
Sow Outside: Surface. Before the last frost (cooler areas) or in autumn (warm areas). Spacing 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm).
Sow Inside: Use peat pots. Germination time: one to three weeks in the light. Temperature 70°F (21°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors in the last month of spring.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Sandy soil. Light soil. Can survive in dry soils. Light feed. Water in prolonged dry periods.

How to grow Creeping Zinnia

The seeds of Creeping Zinnia and other Sanvitalia should be sown on the surface before the last frost of spring. The seeds should be spaced at about 20cm apart. They like to grow in sunny parts of the garden with good drainage, Creeping Zinnia prefer a soil that is light and sandy. If growing indoors first then sow Creeping Zinnia seeds in peat pots about 7 weeks before putting outdoors at the end of spring. The seeds will require light and a temperature of 20 to 21 degrees to germinate; this should take about two to three weeks.