The 7 plants you shouldn't grow next to zinnias

Key Takeaways

• Avoid planting zinnias with lavender, mint, or fennel since their water and space needs clash with zinnias' preferences.
• Keep zinnias separate from cucumbers and corn to reduce the risk of disease and competition for water, light, and nutrients.
• Don’t pair zinnias with shade-loving shrubs or roses unless you’re using them as a trap crop for pests like Japanese beetles.

Zinnias flourish in both the flower garden and the vegetable patch. These easy annuals bloom their heads off for months and attract beneficial pollinators while they're at it. Zinnias are drought-resistant, deer-resistant, and fairly disease-resistant (with the exception of powdery mildew). They look beautiful sprinkled throughout a meadow, flowering along a fence, or tucked in with the peppers you're growing. Zinnias are the ideal companion plant in many cases.

But as low-maintenance as zinnias are, they don't mix well with every plant. We'll explain which plants you shouldn't grow with zinnias and why.

Lavender

Lavender is a Mediterranean plant that must be grown in dry, sandy soil. While zinnias are fairly drought-tolerant once established, they won't grow or bloom as vigorously in very dry soil.

Mint

Mint is a thirsty plant that needs consistent moisture when it's hot out. Zinnias prefer different conditions, doing best with moderate water during the hot months. Mint may also overrun your zinnias if allowed to spread in the garden.

Fennel

Like zinnias, fennel attracts many beneficial pollinators to the garden. But this anise-flavored herb needs lots of space to grow or it may stunt surrounding plants. Don't plant zinnias right at the base of fennel.

Cucumber

Cucumber plants need consistent moisture to flourish, especially when setting fruit. You'll be watering the shallow-rooted vines more frequently than zinnias desire. Cucumbers are also susceptible to powdery mildew, a problem that afflicts many zinnias. Provide plenty of space between cucumbers and zinnias so they aren't transmitting disease.

Corn

Tall corn stalks will loom over nearby flowers and cast too much shade. Corn is also a heavy feeder with shallow roots that compete with other plants for nutrients. Most zinnias perform better in nutrient-rich soil, so place them several feet away from your corn.

Roses

Whether zinnias and roses make good companion plants depends on your point of view. Both like plenty of sunshine and nutrient-rich soil. Both also make a tasty snack for Japanese beetles. Some gardeners will plant zinnias as a trap crop, hoping to distract beetles from their prized roses. If you don't want to sacrifice your zinnias, on the other hand, plant them far away from your roses.

Shade-Loving Flowering Shrubs

Hydrangeas and azaleas need consistent moisture and protection from afternoon sun when grown in hot climates. Zinnias need a minimum of six hours of sunlight daily to bloom well, so don't plant them with flowering shrubs that need to spend part of the day in shade.

Read the original article on Southern Living