Also known as Cockscomb · 31 saves
Celosia
Celosia, the genus most gardeners know as cockscomb. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 4 most-saved Celosia varieties
Browse all 5 Celosia varieties →
Species of Celosia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Celosia in Sow
Save the Celosia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Celosia
Whats common across all Celosia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Celosia year
- PlantApril and May80% of varieties
Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
- HarvestJune–September80% of varieties
Harvest flowers for cutting or drying when plumes are fully colored.
- FertilizeMay–August80% of varieties
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks for best performance.
Do
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
- Plant into warm soil in full sun ☀️
- Water at the base of the plant 💧
- Cut stems early for drying ✂️
- Deadhead to extend the season 🌸
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Plant out into cold soil ❌
- Overwater or wet the foliage ❌
- Feed heavily — stems go soft ❌
What goes wrong with Celosia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Colonies on stems and developing flower heads, with sticky honeydew and distorted growth | Wash off with a jet of water early; heads that are already distorted will not recover |
| Spider mites | Fine stippling and dulling of the foliage with webbing beneath, in hot dry spells | Rinse the leaf undersides and avoid drought stress, which brings the infestations on |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Seedlings and young plants collapse at soil level in cold or waterlogged ground | Sow into warm, freely draining soil and avoid overwatering; cold wet soil is the usual cause |
Making more Celosia
seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Germination occurs within 7-14 days
cuttings
- Take 4-inch stem cuttings in early summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist soil or water for 6 weeks to root
Celosia questions
How many types of Celosia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Celosia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 31 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Celosia grow in?
Across its varieties, Celosia covers USDA Zones 10–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Celosia bloom?
Most Celosia varieties bloom in summer to fall, late summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Celosia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.