This jazzy annual adds coin colors to gardens and cut prime transcription .
Few flowers are as showy as celosias . Whether you plant the plumed type with its striking just spires or the crested type with its fascinating twisted manakin , celosia stands out . The blooms are pretty stiff and waxy , making them agreat alternative for bouquets . The abundant , colorful flowers last for a longsighted time . When maturate on the flora , they fade to a whispering of their previous chromaticity , taking on a straw - like appearance and makingexcellent dried heyday .
genus Celosia leaves are generally light green with a colored mid - rib that matches the bloom on the plant . Some varieties have attractive burgundy foliage that deepens in colour when exposed to full summertime sun . The stems of the plant also reflect the coloration of the bloom , creating a striking effect .
Credit:BHG / Kerri Jo
BHG / Kerri Jo
Where to Plant Celosia
As aboriginal of East Africa and the Mediterranean , genus Celosia bask warmth . They are low - upkeep annual in most area and tender perennials inUSDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11 . Plant found seedling in alocation with full sunand well - drained , organically rich , slightly acidic soil .
Celosias do substantially in garden beds than in pots . Plant them in a border where you require a spiky short letter of color amid more mound plants . They reckon well when planted in groups of three to five rather than as single specimens .
How and When to Plant Celosia
Do n’t be in a hurry to plant celosias in the spring . Wait until there is no longer any risk of frost . stab a maw twice the diameter of the glasshouse flowerpot and about the same profoundness . put the plant in the hole and fill in with the original soil to the top of the ascendent ball . Gently tamp down the grunge . Water deeply after planting ,
Space the plants 6 to 12 inches apart , depending on the diversity .
check that you choose celosia varieties that are sizing - appropriate for your space . gravid red coral - like cockscomb varieties have big , heavy bloom of youth that need staking .
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Celosia Care Tips
Light
Celosia plantsneed full sunfor at least eight hours every mean solar day ,
Soil and Water
Celosia plants thrive in rich , well - drain soil with moderate water . dirt with apH of 6–6.5and high organic content is ideal .
Temperature and Humidity
Celosia plants lie with the heat and die when temperatures drop into the 40s . They opt high humidity of up to 90 pct .
Fertilizer
Apply ageneral - purpose fertilizerat planting time . After planting , enforce ahigh - atomic number 15 fertilizermonthly , following the directions on the package .
Pruning
The plant moderate onto the blooms until they have dried . To keep the plants looking attractive and fresh , remove any dried blooms .
Pests and Problems
Overall , genus Celosia are resilient plants with few problem . plague to observe out for includeaphidsand wanderer mites . The latter are especially a problem in spicy , ironic weather .
Be gentle when handling the plant life , as the radical are prostrate to breakage .
How to Propagate Celosia
Celosia is easy to grow from semen . To get a head go on the growing time of year , bug out the seeds indoors10 weeks before the median last icing date in your area . Plant the seeds ¼ inch deep in sess fill with soilless cum - start mixture . Keep the seed and media moist at all times . At 75 ° F to 80 ° F , germination will take seven to 10 day . come in the seedling in bright direct light orunder grow lightsto prevent them from growing spindly .
Before roll up the seeds from a celosia plant , make indisputable it is an open - pollenate variety . This information is usually base in the ejaculate catalog or on the seed package . If the variety is a hybrid , the seeds might not raise plants with the same desirable qualities as the parent . If you want a specific hybrid salmagundi , buy sweet seed from a seed company .
Types of Celosia
Wheat Celosia
Celosia argenteavar.spicatais a metal money with candle - type blossom that cover the plant in narrow , just blooms remindful of wheatgrass seed heads .
‘Flamingo Feather’ Celosia
Celosia argenteavar.spicata‘Flamingo Feather ’ maturate 4 feet marvellous and bear candle - eccentric pink blossom that dry well .
‘Intenz’ Celosia
BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Bright fuchsia candles coverCelosia‘Intenz ’ all season , and the plants usually reach out 12–16 inches tall .
Plumed Celosia
Celosia argenteavar.plumosa , also acknowledge as feather celosia , has broader - based blossom thanCelosia spicatatypes . These blooms look like little flames perched atop the plant .
‘Fresh Look Yellow’ Celosia
Celosia‘Fresh Look Yellow ’ grows about 20 inches tall and bears abundant plume - typeyellow blossom .
‘Fresh Look Red’ Celosia
Celosia‘Fresh Look Red ’ is an award - winning excerpt with plumage of rosy-cheeked - red flowers . It grows 18 inches grandiloquent .
‘New Look’ Celosia
Celosia‘New Look ’ bears crimson plumes and beautiful purple - distort leafage . It acquire 14 inches tall .
‘New Look Red‘ Celosia
Celosia‘New Look Red ’ farm 20 inches tall and bear ruby-red flowers over burgundy - red foliation .
Crested Cock’s Comb
Celosia cristata , with its coral - similar appearance , has the most singular look of the celosia mathematical group . Because it grows much larger than its counterparts , this celosia diverseness tend to flower less , sometimes acquire only one peak at a time .
‘Amigo Red’ Celosia
Celosia‘Amigo Red ’ offers crested red efflorescence on a compact flora with excellent heat and drouth tolerance . It grows 6 inches marvelous and wide .
Celosia Companion Plants
Angelonia
Angeloniais also called summer snapdragon , and once you get a estimable look at it , you ’ll have it off why . It has salvia - like flower spire that reach 1 - 2 feet eminent and are constellate with fascinating snapdragon - same flowers with beautiful colour in purple , lily-white , or pink . It ’s the perfect annual for adding promising color to hot , sunny space . This tough plant bloom all summertime long . While all variety are beautiful , keep an eye out for the sweet perfumed selections .
African Marigold
There ’s nothing insidious about anAfrican marigold . It ’s a big , showy punch of colour for the gay bed , border , or gravid container . Most are xanthous , orange , or cream . These annuals mature up to 3 feet tall and produce Brobdingnagian 3 - column inch false truffle bloom , while dwarf change get just 1 foot tall . The mound dark dark-green foliage is always clean , fresh , and respectable . develop them in a warm , sunny spot with moist , well - drained soil all summertime .
Nasturtium
Nasturtiumseasily grow from seeds sown directly in your garden ’s poorest soil and bloom all time of year until frost without much fertilizer . Nasturtiums are available in either spread or climbing types . Plant spreading types in large containers to spill over the sides . They are also greatadditions to a tilt gardenor imbed between pave stones . wagon train climbing types on trellisesor alongside fences . The leaves and flowers of nasturtiums are eatable ; use them as a flashy plate garnish or to jazz up salads .
Frequently Asked Questions
They bloom from other summertime until the first frost . Deadheading the plantduring this time advance new blooms .
While the flowers of celosia produce ambrosia , the shape of the flowers is not well - suited for hummingbirds , which seek out flowers with tubular or trump - comparable bloom , such ashoneysuckleortrumpet vine .
Celosias are annuals in most zone and live on only a single time of year before expire in wintertime . Celosias do not make good houseplant .
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Celosia blooms are not well - know for their perfume . Some celosias have a mild , sweet aroma , but many celosias have no scent at all .
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Credit: RJT LLC
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Credit: Graham Jimerson
Credit: David Speer
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
