Celosia argentea

Description

Cockscomb is annual herb that grows to a height of about 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall. In climates where it is grown as an annual it will reseed itself and return the next year. In locations that experience warm winter temperatures, such as USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, it can also be grown as a perennial.

This easy to grow plant makes an excellent cut flower. It prefers full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil, but tolerates poor, dry soil. The stems grow fast but tend to have a weak structure. The inflorescence absorbs water easily and becomes too heavy for weak stems in tall cultivar selections, causing bending or breakage. Staking the plants helps. Regular watering of the root zone is a must as a lack of water will make the leaves appear wilted. A trend in the green industry to address both of these problems in the last few decades has been to select shorter members and move to dwarf selections.

This plant tolerates dry porous soils and thrives in heat and humidity. Plant it in border fronts, edging, or cut flower gardens. Celosia species do reseed, and they should be sited in a location where their reappearance every year is not unwanted. To prevent reseeding, you can cut off the blooms before seeds appear.

color when utilized as dried flowers or in floral arrangements. The genus name comes from the Greek word for burning and refers to the colorful blooms that are shaped similar to a flame. The species name, argentea, means “silvery”, in reference to the shiny, white bracts and tepals of the species.

This plant tolerates dry porous soils and thrives in heat and humidity. Plant it in border fronts, edging, or cut flower gardens. Celosia species do reseed, and they should be sited in a location where their reappearance every year is not unwanted. To prevent reseeding, you can cut off the blooms before seeds appear.

Sowing Time: March – May

Sowing Conditions: Sow in full sun and partial shade in well drained soil