Celosia

 Celosia

They may look to you like feathery plumes, a rooster’s comb, or an alien’s brain. It’s easy to anthropomorphize this charming garden flower, also known as cockscomb, which sparkles in rainbow hues all season in your full sun garden from summer to fall. The National Garden Bureau declared 2006 to be the year of the celosia, shining the spotlight on an underused annual.

Celosia Care

Celosia is quite easy to grow and maintain; here are some basic tips.

• Plant in well-draining soil or in containers with a well-drained potting mix. Richer soil produces more vibrant blooms.
• Plant celosia where it will get at least six hours of full sun for brightest blooms.
• Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry down between waterings. Avoid overwatering.
• A basic fertilizer may be used once a month in summer. High nitrogen fertilizers work best.

Planting

After all danger of frost has passed in spring, you can plant your celosia plants in well-draining soil the garden or in outdoor containers. Celosia plants obtained from a nursery in season should be planted as soon as possible. They need full sun to really bloom at their best. If planting in your garden, look at the specifications on the tag for the variety you have, to help you determine spacing when planting, There's a wide range of size among celosia varieties, so be sure to give them the room they need.

Some celosias may 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, as long as the plants receive the full sun they need to stay vigorous.

Light

Celosia needs at least six hours of direct sunlight to bloom at its best, most colorful self, but if you only have partial sun, planting where it gets the longest period of sunlight (whether morning or afternoon) will help keep the blooms vigorous.

Soil

Celosia is tolerant of all soils, but they grow best in well-drained soils that don't get waterlogged. In containers, any standard potting mix will do. Although celosias can tolerate clay soil, the plants will likely fail if combined with heavy rainfall.

Water

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

Temperature and Humidity

Celosia plants are tolerant of heat and love a nice hot summer to produce their vivid blooms. In a humid season, take care not to overwater, and keep the surface of your soil in containers dry between waterings if possible, to prevent any fungus.

Fertilizer

Celosias produce their vivid flowers without asking for much fertilization in return, 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 for a boost of 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.

Get to Know Celosia

Part of the Amaranthaceae family, plants in the Celosia genus grow as warm weather annuals in all growing zones. Although there are about 60 species of celosia, most garden varieties are members of the argentea and spicata species. Within these species, you’ll discover tall spiky flowers, dense feathery plumes, and bizarre coral-like blooms in vibrant colours. The foliage of most celosia types is green, but some varieties have burgundy or bronze leaves.

How to Plant Celosia

Celosia plants won’t flower until about three months after the seeds germinate, so you should start the seeds indoors about six weeks before your average last frost for earlier blooms. They require warm soil from the very beginning, 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.

Celosia Care

You can prevent problems like stem rot and leaf spot by providing celosias with plenty of unfiltered sunshine and moderate irrigation.¹ Although celosias can tolerate clay soil, the plants will likely fail if combined with heavy rainfall.

Celosias produce their vivid flowers without asking for much fertilization in return. If the plants begin to look tired, add some seaweed or fish emulsion to the watering can for a boost of trace nutrients.

Some celosias may 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, as long as the plants receive the full sun, they need to stay vigorous.

Garden Design with Celosia

The differing heights and forms of celosia flowers give them great versatility in the garden. Because of their drought tolerance, any of the small to medium size celosias make good container garden plants. In the 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.

You can design an entire flowerbed with different varieties of celosia, staggering heights and creating a spectacular rainbow effect with different textures and forms. Depending on the variety, celosias can have a mature height from six inches to three feet in the garden. The plants stay more compact when you grow them in containers versus the ground.

All the tall varieties of celosias should have a place in the cutting garden. The flowers are long-lasting in the vase, and they also make excellent specimens for drying.

When the gardening season is winding down, dig a few plants for temporary indoor containers. The wine, red, and gold colours will provide the perfect fall accents for your Labour Day gathering or football party. Although the plants may start to look shabby after several weeks indoors, they stay fresher longer than a cut flower bouquet would.

Standout Celosia Varieties 

• Bombay series: A conversation piece in the garden, they produce those unique brain-like blooms in purple, red, and yellow.
• Castle Scarlet: For red lovers only, this variety features electrifying crimson plumes.
• Flamingo Feather: Four feet tall with spiky pink blooms
• Fresh Look series: Feathery plumes on compact plants tolerate wet or dry conditions, as long as it’s hot.
• Golden Yellow: Buttery yellow plumes contrast with deep green foliage

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Please note that living plants are natural products and may exhibit variations in colour, size, shape, and overall appearance. While we strive to provide accurate descriptions and images of our plants, individual specimens may differ slightly from those depicted on our website.

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