Cut & Come Again
Also known as: California Giants
What's special about Cut & Come Again
Classic heirloom that rebounds hard after cutting. 3 ft plants with 3–4 in semi-double blooms in mixed colors.
Growing this variety
Cut & Come Again follows the same growing basics as Zinnia. Variety-specific maturity above; everything else below applies to the whole Zinnia family.
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Direct sow — zinnias grow fast and dislike transplant shock. Pinch tops at 8" tall to force branching and 3× more blooms.
Grower's tip
Cut flowers deeply (above a leaf node) — the plant will send up two stems.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water at the base in the morning. Overhead water batters open flowers and spreads botrytis on tightly-packed blooms.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Succession planting
Sow cutting flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sunflower) every 3 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut stems.
Detailed harvesting
Cut in early morning when stems are turgid. For cutting varieties, harvest when the bud is just showing color and 1–2 outer petals have opened.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Immediately re-cut stems underwater and place in clean cool water for 4 hrs before arranging. Petals can be dried on screens for potpourri or crafts.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Cut flowers, dried arrangements, pollinator habitat, edible garnishes (borage, nasturtium, calendula, viola).
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for zinnia in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
My Cut & Come Again Zinnia notes
Cut & Come Again Zinnia seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
From your kitchen — grow zinnia from what you already have
Deadhead less. Let the best blooms fade and set seed on the plant — that's your next year's packet.
- 1Mark 2–3 of your favorite flowers with a bit of yarn and stop deadheading them.
- 2Wait until the seed head or pod dries fully on the plant — brown, papery, and rattling.
- 3Cut whole heads into a paper bag on a dry day; shake or rub to free seed.
- 4Sieve out chaff and store cool and dry in a labeled envelope.
Storage: 2–5 years for most flower seed.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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Other Zinnia varieties
Benary's Giant
75 daysThe market-grower standard — 4–5 in fully-double dahlia-form blooms on 4 ft stems. Every color, powdery-mildew resistant.
State Fair
70 daysTall 3 ft heirloom mix with huge 5–6 in double flowers in every hot color.
Profusion
60 daysCompact 12–18 in interspecific hybrid — heavy bloom, disease-resistant, no deadheading needed. Best for bedding.
Queeny Lime Orange
75 daysAAS winner with 3 in blush-lime-and-coral double blooms. Florist favorite for muted palettes.