Growing Guide
 
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Celosia, Plumed

Annual Flower

Also known as Plumed Cockscomb, Woolflower
Celosia argentea var plumosa
Amaranthaceae Family
Synonym: Celosia plumosa

The feathery, flame-like floral heads of plumed cockscomb dazzle the garden and dried floral arrangements with bright, long-lasting color.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil
Needs consistent moisture. Keep soil moist but not soggy.

Special locations:

  • outdoor containers
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: annual

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 0.5 to 3 feet

Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet

Bloom time:

  • mid-summer
  • late summer
  • early fall
  • mid-fall

Flower color:

  • red
  • orange
  • yellow
  • violet
  • white
  • pink

Foliage color:

  • medium green
  • other

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: upright

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

Flowerheads are feathery and plumelike.

Special Considerations
Tolerates:
  • frost
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive
  • non-invasive
  • not native to North America
Special uses:
  • cut flowers
  • dried flowers
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed - Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before the last frost. Cover them with soil, since light inhibits their germination. Can also be sown outdoors after the last frost is reached. Pre-started plants are often available at retail outlets.

Germination temperature: 65 F to 70 F

Days to emergence: 14 to 21

Maintenance and care:
May need staking. Requires regular watering. Plants purchased in cell-packs with crowded roots may develop slowly or may not develop at all if the crowded roots stop growing.

More growing information: How to Grow Annuals

Pests:
Spider mites
Diseases:
Oedema
Parasitic nematodes
Powdery mildew
Fungal leaf spot
Varieties
Look for varieties with different heights, flower colors, and some with reddish foliage.

'Apricot Brandy': orange flowers on 18" tall plants.

‘Geisha’ Mix: wide variety of flower colors on dwarf (10’ tall) plants. Excellent for pots.

‘Kewpie’ Mix: very dwarf plants (8 to 10” tall) in a wide variety of flower colors. Early flowering.

‘Castle’ Series: wide variety of flower colors. Flowers retain color much longer than traditional Celosia blooms. Very drought and heat resistant.

'Bombay' Series: variety of bright flower colors. Long-lasting flowers on early blooming, heat tolerant plants.

‘Fairy Fountains’: a mix of flower colors. Dwarf plants (1’ tall or less).

‘Century’ Series: 2’ tall plants with various flower colors. Some have bronze foliage. Large flower heads, dense plants.

‘Gloria’ Series: dwarf (8” tall) plants with a variety of flower colors. Compact.

‘Kimono’ Series: very dwarf (4 to 6”) plants with dense foliage and uniform flower heads. Variety of flower colors.