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CELOSIA argentea

Image of Celosia argentea

Jesse Saylor

Family

Amaranthaceae

Botanical Name

CELOSIA argentea

Plant Common Name

Celosia

General Description

The colorful floral plumes, feathery spikes or dense "brainy" crests, of cockscomb and plume celosia make beautiful additions to annual borders, cutting gardens and containers.

These bushy annuals may occasionally survive for a year or more in southern regions where winters are mild. They grow quickly from seed and have foliage that can be bright green, purple-red or bronze, depending on the cultivar. Their long-lasting flowers are comprised of many small bracted flowers that can be bright yellow, orange, pink, purple, ivory or red. There are many cultivars and varieties, such as the apricot-plumed 'Apricot Brandy' and dwarf crested members of the Olympia series.

Plant these ornamentals in sites with full sun and average soil with good drainage, and enjoy them in any hot, sunny spot that needs strong summer color. The flowerheads of Celosia argentea may be used in fresh flower arrangements or dried as everlastings. Seed-eating birds are drawn to the small, shiny black seeds that rain down from the mature, dry seedheads, so it is good to let a few mature in fall.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 2

  • Sunset Zone

    5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Annual

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    8"-36" / 20.3cm - 91.4cm

  • Width

    8"-24" / 20.3cm - 61.0cm

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

  • Native To

    North America, Central America, South America, Middle Africa, Asia, Central Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Very Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange, Pink, Lavender, Ivory

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Dried Flower / Everlasting, Bedding Plant, Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes