Zinnias are one of the most beautiful edible flowers that you can grow in your garden. They’re big flowers and the vibrant colors of their petals bring the feeling of wonderful beginnings in spring or the excitement in summer. Edible zinnias make great adornments for cakes and other pastries. They’re beautiful and colorful which gives freshness to whatever food they are adorned with.
What’s great about Zinnias is that they grow in all US hardiness zones because they are native North American plants. These lovely flowers have vibrant colors including bright pink, orange, yellow, and red.
Edible Zinnia Trivia
- Zinnias, sunflowers, and daisies are all related.
- It is said that Zinnias were first cultivated in Central America and Mexico. The Aztecs were also fascinated by these large, blooming flowers.
- Zinnias are considered to be sacred flowers and were often used in rituals and for medicinal purposes.
Edible Zinnia Buying Guide
Growing edible zinnias start by purchasing edible zinnia seeds. It’s best to plant the seeds and grow the edible zinnias yourself. However, you can also buy dried edible zinnia petals from organic stores and edible flower growers.
Edible Zinnia Production & Farming in Texas
Edible zinnias are one of the easiest plants to grow. They can last from the last spring until the first frost comes during fall. Zinnias are very low-maintenance flowers which makes them very suitable for novice flower growers.
They are best planted during the end of June so they can bloom non-stop towards fall. As long as there’s no threat of frost, zinnias can burst their colorful blooms. Choosing the right soil is also essential to the survival of Zinnia flowers. Fertile, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5 provides the best growth for Zinnias.
Zinnias have become superstar blooms in Texas and are now a staple in flower pots or gardens.
Preservatives and Chemicals
As zinnias are edible flowers, flower growers should never use any toxic chemicals or fertilizers in their cultivation. A complete disregard for pesticides or herbicides is necessary to ensure safe consumption. This has been a moral, non-verbal agreement for flower growers. If you plan to use compost, then it must be ensured that the compost is pathogen-free.
Packaging
You don’t need packaging for edible zinnias as they are usually just grown in a pot or garden and picked immediately for decoration or consumption.
Enjoying Edible Zinnias
When picked and sanitized properly, edible zinnia petals can be used in both leafy and flowery salads. They’re commonly used as naturally beautiful cake decorations, especially at the height of the popularity of cakes adorned with edible flowers. Edible zinnias can also be mixed in cocktails, alcoholic drinks, or fruit punches for a lovely, refreshing look. But be careful as edible zinnias can be a bit bitter.
Storage
Dried edible zinnia flowers can be stored in an airtight container. They can also be stored in individual tea bags and kept away from damp, humid areas, and sunlight to lengthen their shelf-life.
Cooking
EDIBLE FLOWER FAIRY SALT
Ingredients
1/2 cup Salt Flakes
2 TBSP dried Zinnias
Instructions
- Pick edible zinnia flowers and gently pull the petals from the bud. Lay them out flat on a plate. Leave them to dry completely for 5 days turning them regularly to release moisture. To speed up this process you could put them in the oven on low (40-50°C) to dry.
- Place salt flakes into an airtight jar. Mix through the dried cornflowers.
- Serve on meals as a finishing salt.
