Can Zinnias Be Planted With Lavender Plants?
- Climate is always a consideration when planting. The U.S. Department of Agriculture breaks the country into 11 separate planting zones. Zone 1 is the coolest and zone 11 the hottest. Zinnia thrives as a perennial in hardiness zones 7 through 11, while lavender prefers zones 5 through 9. Planting zinnia and lavender together as perennials is only possible in zones 7 through 9. In zones 10 and 11, zinnia must grow alone because the climate is too hot for lavender. In zones 5 and 6, zinnia will grow but the climate is too cold for lavender. In zones 1 through 4, both plants will grow together as tender annuals.
- Some plants prefer acidic soil while others prefer neutral or alkaline soils. Still other plants tolerate a bit of each. The pH (potential hydrogen) scale is the measurement that gardeners use to determine a soil's acid and alkaline levels. The pH requirements for zinnia and lavender are different, which presents problems when planting the two together. While zinnia prefers soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5, lavender fares well in any soil pH above 6.0. To plant both flowers together, a target pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is necessary. A soil testing kit purchased from a garden center can help determine the pH. If the pH test reveals a level below 6.0, agricultural lime mixed in with the soil will raise it. For pH above 7.5, the addition of peat moss is necessary to lower the soil's alkalinity. The use of either lime or peat moss requires close adherence to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Sun and spacing are other considerations when planting. Fortunately, this is where the gardener can catch a break when planting zinnia and lavender together. Both zinnia and lavender prefer to grow in full sun, which means they require at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Since the plants both grow to approximately the same height and spread, spacing is similar. Zinnia plants require 12- to 18-inch spacing, while lavender requires 24- to 36-inch spacing between plants. Spacing the plants 24 to 36 inches apart will accommodate both the zinnias and lavender.
- The planting times for zinnia and lavender are the same, which is a plus for planting them together. Planting in warm spring soil as soon as the temperatures reach a steady 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Both plants require at least 1 inch of water per week throughout the growing season, supplied through rain and supplemental watering with a garden hose. When the fall rolls around, zinnia and lavender will die back, enter winter dormancy, then reemerge the following spring.
