Celosia

About Celosia

Celosia is a heat-loving summer annual with flower heads in three main shapes: feathery plumes, velvety crested 'cockscombs' that look like a rooster's comb or brain coral, and slim wheat-like spikes. The colors are hot and bright, from red and orange to gold, pink and purple. It's easy from seed, shrugs off heat and dry spells, and makes a long-lasting cut flower that dries beautifully.

Grown as a summer annual in every zone; NC State lists it as hardy only in zones 10-11, and frost kills it. UF/IFAS rates it not a problem species in Florida's natural areas.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

• Start seeds indoors: 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost
• Set out plants: up to 2 weeks after the last frost
• Sow seeds outdoors: up to 2 weeks after the last frost

Days to harvest count from sowing to first usable flowers: MSU lists 90-120 days for tall cut-flower series, and UF/IFAS says plants can take up to about 90 days to bloom. Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost (Wisconsin, MSU) or sow outdoors in soil of 65 F or warmer after frost; UMD advises waiting for nights that stay above about 65 F, because cold below 60 F stunts plants and makes them flower early and small. Don't let transplants get potbound in cell packs: they stay stunted (Illinois, UMD).

Soil

Well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter; it tolerates dry, sandy soil but blooms best with regular water (NC State, Illinois, UF/IFAS).

Loosen the soil and work in organic matter for good drainage; UMD suggests a pH of about 6.0-6.4 and a soil test before planting.

Feeding

• Once transplants are growing well in early summer: complete fertilizer with extra nitrogen (UMD suggests a 3-1-2 ratio, such as 15-5-10). Celosia needs plenty of nitrogen (UMD); spread at the rate a soil test or label gives and water it in.

Don't plant into cold soil or cold nights: temperatures below 60 F stunt plants and trigger early, small flowers (UMD). Overhead watering and crowding invite leaf spots and flower rot (NC State, UMD).

Harvest

Blooms from early summer until frost (June to October in Illinois). Cut plume and wheat types when about half the florets are open, and crested types once the comb has filled out but before the edges fade (UMD, Oklahoma State); leave seed heads only if you want volunteers.

Varieties (19)

Pests to watch for

Aphids, Twospotted spider mite, Thrips, Slugs, Brown garden snail, Root-knot nematodes

Diseases and problems

Root rot, Damping-off, Leaf spot, Powdery mildew, Alternaria leaf blight

In the kitchen

Young leaves and tender shoots of many celosias are edible cooked, added to soups and stews like spinach (NC State, UF/IFAS); only eat plants grown without pesticides.

Safety: NC State and the ASPCA list celosia as non-toxic. If you try the young greens, cook them and use only plants that haven't been sprayed (UF/IFAS).

Pets: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA, Celosia plumosa / cockscomb); the ASPCA also lists woolflower (C. cristata) as non-toxic to dogs and cats.