How I Harvest Zinnias for Seeds (and Grow Them Year After Year)

Zinnias are hands down one of my favorite flowers to grow, bright, cheerful, low-maintenance, and generous. Once you plant them, they just keep giving. And the best part? You only have to buy seeds once if you know how to save them!

I’ve been growing and harvesting zinnias for years now, and today I’m sharing exactly how I collect my seeds each season so I can enjoy these beauties year after year (without spending a dime).

Step 1: Let Some of Your Blooms Go to Seed

I know, it’s hard not to cut every single bloom and stick it in a vase. But toward the end of summer, I let a few of the flowers stay on the plant until they’re completely dry and deadheaded. This is when they’re busy making seeds!

You’ll know it’s time when the petals are dry, crunchy, and brown and the center of the flower looks faded and brittle.

Step 2: Snip and Dry

Using sharp scissors or garden snips, I cut the deadheads off and lay them out on a paper towel or an old tray (you know I’ve got plenty of those around here). I let them dry out even more in a cool, dry place for about a week, just to make sure no moisture is hiding in there.  Just kidding, I throw them all in a basket like you see here. (Don't listen to me!)

But seriously, you want them nice and dry before you start plucking out seeds, or you’ll risk mold.

Step 3: Pull the Seeds

Here’s the fun part! Gently pull apart the dried flower head and you’ll see the seeds tucked inside. Zinnia seeds are flat, pointy, and often still have a bit of dried petal stuck to them.

I like to sort out the plumpest, healthiest-looking seeds. If they look shriveled or puny, I toss those aside.

Step 4: Store Them Right

Once I’ve gathered all my seeds, I store them in a paper envelope or a small glass jar (label it with the color if you’re fancy, or like me, just hope for the best next spring). Then I tuck the jar in a dark cabinet until planting season.

Make sure they’re kept cool and dry, don’t toss them in the garage or a humid closet.

Step 5: Replant and Repeat!

Come spring, those saved seeds go straight into the ground once the frost is past. Zinnias don’t like cold feet! I scatter mine and lightly press them into the soil, no need to get fussy, they're so easy to plant!

Before you know it, you’ll have another year of blooms from last year’s garden. It’s the gift that keeps on giving…..and blooming…..and making your neighbors jealous.

Zinnias are proof that a little effort goes a long way. Saving seeds from your own flowers is not only easy and economical, it’s sentimental. There’s something special about knowing your current garden is blooming from last year’s love.

So, snip those deadheads, dry those seeds, and keep the zinnia magic going year after year. You’ll thank yourself next spring, and so will the butterflies.