If you haven't grown celosia, you're missing out on some unique and interesting flowers. Here's what to know about celosia plant care.
The National Garden Bureau, a non-profit organization promoting gardening in North America, announced that 2023 was the Year of the Celosia, helping make this fun group of plants even more popular. Available in bright, vibrant colors and featuring unusual textures and shapes, celosia are a great addition to any garden.
I came across celosia at my local nursery this year and couldn’t resist planting a few for their fun, whimsical energy. Easy to grow and typically resistant to pests and diseases, celosia can quickly add a pop of color to flower containers or garden beds. Learn more about this fun flower and how to best care for it with expert tips from Sharon Yiesla, Plant Knowledge Specialist at the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum.
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What Is Celosia?
Celosia is both the scientific and common name for several flowering annual plants related to the ancient grain, Amaranth. Celosia comes from an ancient Greek word for “burning” or “flame.” Many celosia flowers do look like flames, ranging in color from yellow to orange to red.
Why Is Celosia Popular?
Celosias are popular because they look so different from other flowers in the garden. Once you see that flower head that resembles the cockscomb of a chicken, you’ll likely never forget it. Another variety looks like a brain! Plus, many varieties feature bright colors in shades of pink, red, yellow and orange.
Types of Celosia To Plant
There are three main groups or types: plumosa, cristata and spicata.
Plumosa group
“The ‘plume’ type has upright feathery flowers. They come in a range of colors; yellow, red, orange, salmon and pink,” Yiesla says. An outstanding example is a variety called ‘Flamma Orange.’ It produces orange flowers on small plants that grow to just under one foot. This variety received a national All-America Selections award in 2022.
Cristata group
“The ‘cockscomb’ type has large clusters that look like velvet brains. They are often taller than the plume type and may need to be staked to support the large flowers. The color range is similar to that of the plume type,” Yiesla says. ‘Cramer’s Rose,’ a deep red color, is relatively easy to find.
Spicata group
“The ‘wheat’ type has a narrow flower stalk that resembles a head of grain. The color range is more limited with this type (mostly pinks and purples),” Yiesla says. ‘Flamingo Feather,’ with silvery pink blooms, is one example.
When To Plant Celosia
Celosia is planted outdoors in the spring once there’s no danger of frost. Nighttime temperatures should average around 55 degrees before planting celosia outside in containers or in the ground.
In the fall, celosia in full bloom is often available for purchase as a flowering plant that adds instant color to your garden. They also make great additions to fall containers to replace other annual flowers that are fading out.
How To Plant Celosia
You can grow celosia from seeds started indoors, or buy plants in the spring. Plan to start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost date. Always plant celosia in a location with well-drained soil and full sun.
Also pay attention to their mature size. Depending on the variety, celosia ranges from as short as eight inches to as tall as three feet.
Celosia Plant Care
“All celosias need full sun and are drought and heat-tolerant,” Yiesla says, and do best in well-draining soil.
Watering
As with other annuals grown in the ground, provide the equivalent of an inch of rain a week. Newly planted celosias may need more frequent watering until they’ve grown new roots. If growing celosia in containers, you may need to water daily during the hottest days of summer.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your celosia as you would other annual flowers. Those grown in the ground may not need additional fertilizer, but those in containers likely will. Use a general fertilizer labeled for annual flowers.
Pruning
To encourage branching and more blooms, pinch back young plants by carefully cutting off or pinching out the growing tip of each. After that, continue to cut off old blooms as they begin to form seeds. “Removing old flowers (deadheading) will keep the plants producing new ones,” Yiesla says.
Many celosia plants will self-sow readily in the garden, so be sure to cut off old blooms before the seeds drop to the ground.
Overwintering
As an annual flower, celosia plants are not often overwintered. It’s best to start new plants from seeds in the spring or buy transplants.
Where celosia is hardy, in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and 11, celosia can be left out year round and will be a perennial. But even in these areas celosia is often grown as an annual, especially if there are occasional periods of widespread frost.
How Long Do Celosia Last?
Celosias as annuals last through one growing season. They’re finished after the first frost in the fall.
Fortunately many of the flowers, especially those in the cristata and spicata groups, dry easily so you can use them in dried flower arrangement and wreaths. To dry the flowers, cut them before they start forming seeds, then hang them in a cool, dark room.
FAQ
What pests or diseases affect Celosia?
Celosia can be affected by aphids, thrips and leaf or stem rot if kept in moister climates. In dry climates “they are not often troubled by diseases and insects, so are relatively low maintenance,” Yiesla says.
Can I save seeds from Celosia?
To save seeds from Celosia plants, allow the flower to dry on the stem, then remove and collect the small, black seeds.
About the Expert
Sharon Yiesla is a Plant Knowledge Specialist at the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum.
