Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Zinnia vs. African Marigold vs. Alpine Aster
The comparison
| Fact | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Annual | Annual | Perennial |
| Germination time | 3–7 days | 4–7 days | Not yet verified |
| Germination temperature | 21–29 °C70–84 °F | 24–27 °C75–81 °F | Not yet verified |
| Sowing depth | 6 mm¼ in | 6 mm¼ in | Not yet verified |
| Days to maturity | 84 days from sowing | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun, partial shade | Full sun |
| Water | Not yet verified | Moderate | Not yet verified |
| Containers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Frost tolerance | Not yet verified | Tender (no frost) | Hardy |
| Soil pH | Not yet verified | pH 6.0–7.0 | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to cats | Non-toxic | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Toxicity to dogs | Non-toxic | Not yet verified | Not yet verified |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
FlowersZinnia elegans
Bright, easy summer annuals for borders, pots and cut flowers. Sow in warm soil after the last frost; seeds sprout within days and plants flower about 12 weeks after sowing.
How to grow zinniaFlowersTagetes erecta
African marigold is a tender annual grown from seed in full sun, with fragrant leaves and showy flowers that attract butterflies. It also grows well in containers.
How to grow african marigoldFlowersAster alpinus
Alpine aster is a clump-forming perennial with violet daisy-like flowers, about 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall, that grows in full sun and well-drained soil and is hardy.
How to grow alpine asterKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Zinnia vs. African DaisyZinnia against another flowerAfrican Marigold vs. African DaisyAfrican Marigold against another flowerAlpine Aster vs. African DaisyAlpine Aster against another flower
Zinnia vs. AgeratumZinnia against another flowerAfrican Marigold vs. AgeratumAfrican Marigold against another flowerAlpine Aster vs. AgeratumAlpine Aster against another flowerThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
