Gardening Plants & Flowers Annuals

How to Grow and Care for Celosia

Celosia is a group of plants in the Amaranth family, with the most common species known as cockscomb. Celosia is a warm-weather annual plant with tall, spiky flowers, dense feathery plumes, and bizarre brain coral-like blooms in vibrant colors blooming all summer. The foliage of most celosias is green, but some varieties have burgundy or bronze leaves.

Celosia grows best in full sun with at least six hours of sunlight and slightly acidic or alkaline soil. It tolerates sweltering temperatures but dies in frost. This sun-loving annual grows 6 to 36 inches tall and spreads up to 24 inches wide, depending on variety. It does not return year after year; it completes its lifecycle in one growing season. The leaves, young stems, and flowers are edible.

Common Name Cockscomb, woolflowers
Botanical Name Celosia spp.
Family  Amaranthaceae 
Plant Type Annual 
Mature Size 6-36 in. tall, 12-24 in. wide 
Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Type  Tolerant of all soils with good drainage 
Soil pH  Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline 
Bloom Time  Summer through fall 
Flower Color Purple, burgundy, pink, white, yellow, red, orange 
Hardiness Zones 3-11 (USDA)  (10-11 for perennial habit)
Native Areas  Africa, North America, South America 

Celosia Care

Celosia is relatively easy to grow and maintain. Here are some basic growing tips:

  • Plant in well-draining soil or containers with a well-drained potting mix. Richer soil produces more vibrant blooms.
  • Plant celosia for the brightest blooms, where it will receive at least six hours of full sun daily.
  • Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry between waterings. Avoid overwatering.
  • Use a basic fertilizer once a month in summer. High-nitrogen fertilizers work best.
  • Lives at most for one year; it's a true annual.
fuchsia celosia

The Spruce / Autumn Wood

How and Where to Plant

After all danger of frost has passed in spring, plant your celosia plants in well-draining soil in the garden or outdoor containers. Celosia plants obtained from a nursery in season should be planted as soon as possible.

The ideal growing condition for Celosia is a full-sun location to bloom at its best. If planting in your garden, look at the specifications on the tag for the specific variety to help you determine the proper spacing between plants; there's a wide range of sizes among celosia varieties, so be sure to give them the room they need.

Tall varieties of Celosia require staking. If you plant a tall variety with large flower heads in an open area, winds or storms can cause stem breakage. Planting these large flowering types in a sheltered part of the garden makes staking optional; if the plants receive the full sun, they must stay vigorous.

Light

Celosia needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom at its best, most colorful self. However, if your garden has only partial sun, planting where it receives the most sunlight (morning or afternoon) will help keep the blooms vigorous.

Soil

Celosia is tolerant of all soils but grows best in well-drained soils that don't become waterlogged. In containers, any standard potting mix will do. Although celosias can tolerate clay soil, the plants will likely fail during heavy rainfall or overwatering periods.

Water

Water your celosia regularly in hot or dry weather; let the soil surface dry to the touch before watering, and avoid overwatering.

Temperature and Humidity

Celosia plants tolerate heat and love a hot summer to produce vivid blooms. In a humid season, take care not to overwater, and keep the surface soil in containers dry between waterings if possible to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Celosias produce their vivid flowers without requiring much fertilization, especially if your garden soil or potting medium is rich with compost. If the plants begin to look tired, add some seaweed or fish emulsion to the watering can to boost trace nutrients. A basic high-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer is also suitable for celosia. Avoid the base of the plant by the roots when adding fertilizer.

Types of Celosia

Of approximately 60 species of celosia, most garden varieties are members of the C. argentea and C. spicata species. Celosia flowers come in various sizes, colors, textures, and shapes. Here are a few well-loved favorites.

  • Bombay series: A conversation piece in the garden, they produce unique brain-like blooms in various colors, 30 to 40 inches tall. The vibrant pink shades include 'Pink,' 'Candy,' 'Firosa,' and 'Fisal.'
  • Castle Scarlet series: This variety features electrifying crimson plumes for lovers of red blooms, growing 16 to 20 inches high.
  • 'Flamingo Feather': These show-stoppers grow up to four feet tall with spiky pink blooms.
  • Fresh Look series: Feathery plumes on compact plants (14 inches tall) tolerate wet or dry conditions and are very heat tolerant. They come in a range of vibrant colors.
  • Sunday Gold: These celosia have golden, buttery yellow plumes contrasted with deep green foliage, growing from 24 to 30 inches tall.
closeup of celosia
The Spruce / Autumn Wood 
fuchsia celosia
​The Spruce / Autumn Wood 
brain-like celosia
penboy/Moment Open/Getty Images 

Pruning

To encourage branching and more blooms as the plant grows and gets to about 6 inches, pinch off the stems. Pruning is unnecessary for celosia, but for most varieties, if you deadhead or remove the flowers soon after they fade, they will likely rebloom.

Propagating Celosia

Most people buy celosia plants from a nursery as a decorative annual for planting in their gardens and containers. However, you can also propagate them from cuttings. Here's how:

  1. Cut the top four to six inches of the plant.
  2. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
  3. Place in water up to the top of the leafless area.
  4. Roots should appear within three weeks. Refresh or top off the water as it evaporates at least once a week.
  5. Transplant the cuttings to potting medium in containers or into the garden once the danger of frost has passed.

Growing Celosia from Seed

Celosia is relatively easy to start from seed. The plants will flower about three months after the seeds germinate, so you should start the seeds indoors about six weeks before your average last frost date. Otherwise, direct sow seeds in the spring when the threat of frost is gone. Here's how:

  1. Use a standard potting mix.
  2. Seeds require warm, moist soil, so if you have a seedling heat mat to provide warmth, use it. Otherwise, provide temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees for best germination and to prevent damping off disease.
  3. Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep, about 8 inches apart.
  4. Seeds should take about one to two weeks to germinate.

Potting and Repotting Celosia

Celosia do not like their roots disturbed. Since this annual only grows for one season, transplant it once to its permanent spot in the ground or a potting container as a seedling.

This plant prefers a garden bed but will grow in containers with ample drainage. Plant it at least eight inches from its neighbor.

Common Pests and Diseases

Usually, celosia are quite resistant to diseases or pests, especially the newer hybrid varieties. They might occasionally be bothered by spider mites, stem rot, or leaf spot. Spider mites can be controlled in a few different ways.

A fungus in garden soil usually causes stem rot and can be prevented by not overwatering and improving soil drainage. A fungus causes leaf spot and can spread if not addressed immediately. Snip off the affected leaves, let the plant dry out and watch for any spread on the plant.

How to Get Celosia to Bloom

Celosia is known for producing blooms prolifically all summer and well into fall. The best way to keep your celosia blooming all season is to provide plenty of direct sunlight, well-drained soil, and proper watering.

Bloom Months

Your celosia plants can bloom from early June through the first frost, and sometimes longer, depending on variety; if you can bring them inside on a night of early or unexpected frost, you can prolong the bloom season if temperatures remain above freezing.

How Long Does Celosia Bloom?

Celosia flowers bloom for about three months. As annual plants, they complete their lifecycle in one season, growing from seed, flowering, making seeds, and dropping them for the next generation. If deadheaded, the plants will try to produce more flowers to set more seeds for the next season.

Celosia do not rebloom the following year. New growth that appears the following year is the result of new growth sprouting from seeds dropped in the previous growing season.

What Do Celosia Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Celosia flower heads resemble intricate flame-like plumes and crests in many colors, including red, orange, yellow, and pink. Some varieties have a sweet, mild fragrance, while others have no scent.

Deadheading Celosia Flowers

Give these plants regular deadheading to keep the plants looking clean and to promote season-long bloom. Snip off blooms that have started to droop, turn brown, or fade.

Common Problems With Celosia

Celosia are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. Steady, full sun and regular watering are all this plant needs. Be mindful of not keeping the soil overly wet.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellowing leaves can often indicate underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests. Check each of these factors and adjust appropriately.

Curling or Drooping Leaves

Curling or drooping leaves might be a sign of overwatering. Celosia is overly sensitive to wet or soggy soil. Wait longer in between water cycles.

FAQ
  • Is celosia invasive?

    Celosia is not invasive; however, they can reseed in the garden.

  • Are celosia toxic to dogs?

    Celosia is not known to be toxic to dogs or other animals.

  • What season do celosia bloom in?

    Celosia are a warm weather annual that blooms all summer into fall.

  • How is celosia used in landscaping?

    You can design an entire flower bed with different varieties of celosia by staggering heights and creating a spectacular rainbow effect with different textures and forms. The plants stay more compact when growing in containers versus in the ground.

    Along the garden or yard border, combine celosias with other low-maintenance annuals, like zinnias or marigolds. Celosias combine naturally with other members of the amaranth family, like gomphrena or love-lies-bleeding. All tall varieties of celosias should have a place in the cutting garden and dry very well for crafts or arrangements.

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  1. Celosia plumosa. ASPCA