Celosia

( see - LOH - shee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly referred to as Cockscomb, Mfungu or Chinese Woolflower, these flowering annuals and mild-climate perennials need full sun and moderate water. The genus includes two types: Plume Cockscombs and Crested Cockscombs. The first have plume-like flower clusters, and the latter have fan-shaped flower clusters. Cut blooms (which come in many different colors) can be used in fresh bouquets or for dried arrangements. These are tropical-looking plants and can add interest and brilliant color to your garden, typically reaching between 1 and 3 feet tall. Use these plants in containers, mixed beds and borders, or simply as specimen plants in the landscape,

Celosia Species and Varietals

The genus Celosia is a member of the plant family Amaranthaceae, and includes 45 distinct species. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek word keleos (meaning 'burning'), referring to the colorful, flame-like flowering heads. These flowering plants grow best in zones 1-24, H1 and H2, but are best in zones 8-14, 18, 19, H1 and H2. As mentioned above, there are two distinct groups of Celosia, further described below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Celosia argentea (Celosia plumosa) (Plumed Cockscomb, Silver Cock's Comb, Prince of Wales Feathers)
This herbaceous tropical species is native to India and Nepal, and is considered a weed in both India and China. Flowers can be red, purple, pink, yellow, or cream. Flowers last for about 8 weeks before fading, and more blooms can be encouraged to pop through deadheading. Plants will typically reach between 2.5 and 3 feet tall, though smaller varieties are available that reach just 1 foot at maturity. There are many cultivars and varieties of this species, including 'Flamingo Feathers', 'Smart Look Red', 'Fresh Look Orange', 'Glow Red', and 'Century Rose'.

Celosia argentea var. cristata (Crested Cockscomb, Chinese Cockscomb)
This group of Celosia argentea has velvety flower clusters that are often odd-shaped and contorted. Flowers come in yellow, orange, purple, and red. Taller varieties reach 3 feet tall and half as wide, and dwarf or compact varieties get 10 inches tall and 6 inches wide. These plants are native to India.

Celosia floribunda (Many-Flower Cockscomb)
This species is endemic to Baja California Sur in Mexico, and forms a shrub or small tree with grey-green branches. Flowers are white to cream-colored and bloom in large infloresences in spring and summertime in the plant's native range.

Celosia nitida (Celosia texana) (West Indian Cockscomb)
This perennial is native to Central America, South America, and the states of Texas and Florida in the United States, and is considered to be an endangered species in some areas of its natural range. Plants reach about 6 feet tall when mature, and flowers bloom in fall and wintertime.

Celosia palmeri (Palmer's Cockscomb)
This species is native to Texas and northwestern Mexico, and is named for British botanist Edward Palmer. These plants reach between 2 and 3.5 feet tall, and flowers are produced from summer through wintertime in their native range. Blooms are magenta, lightening in color towards the bottoms of inflorescences.

Caring for celosia

Plant Celosia in springtime in full sun. They will flower and have the best foliage color (especially in darker foliaged varieties) when they receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day. If these flowers are grown in too shaded of a space, they will become leggy and not flower well. They require good drainage and do not react well to overwatering; ensure that soil is well-draining before installing plants. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting Cockscomb, mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. 

Water new plantings regularly as they develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist soil around their roots, but will develop problems if left in standing water. Water deeply once a week, and provide more supplemental waterings in hot, dry months of the year. Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This one feeding will be sufficient to carry the plants through their active growing and blooming seasons. Prune plants to control size and shape if necessary, and deadhead flowers as they fade to neaten the appearance of the plant. Annual species and cultivars can be pulled up and thrown in the compost pile at the end of each growing season, and perennial plants can be cut back each year in early springtime to encourage a new flush of bushy growth to emerge.

Propagation

Celosia, or Cockscomb, can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Celosia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Celosia by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. Cut the dried up flower spikes off of the plant and place them in a container or paper bag. This will keep the seeds contained as you harvest more flower spikes. Once at a  clean workspace, separate the seeds from the plant parts. They are very tiny, so take care when handling them.
  3. In late summertime or early springtime, water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-10 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Celosia flowers will dry out, typically keeping a lot of their color as they do, and will eventually release small seeds.
Celosia seeds are tiny and black.

Problems and Pests

Celosia plants are typically very resistant to pests and diseases in the landscape, making them easy to care for additions to beds and borders. They can occasionally be bothered by the following:
  • Spider Mites
  • Stem Rot
  • Leaf Spot
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to prevent and treat them, see the following pages:
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Gallery

These flowers will attract pollinators, such as butterflies, to the landscape.
These flowers are sure to spark some conversations in the landscape.
These flowers get their common name Cockscomb because they are said to look like the comb on a chicken.
Crested Cockscombs have flower heads that look a bit like brains.
There are many different flower colors to choose from when planting these garden ornamentals.
Here, a winding row of Celosia is planted within a grass area underneath a Palm tree.
This Celosia mass planting is accompanied by Madagascar Periwinkle.
Dragon's Breath Celosia provides this monotone green garden with some much-needed interest.
Varieties with crested infloresences are perfect for lining pathways, where their interesting flowers can be admired.
Here, a red Cockscomb is planted in a mixed bed adjacent to a lawn.
Cockscomb flowers are commonly overlooked, but can go a long way in providing bright color to garden spaces.
These flowers are present into the fall in some climates, providing late-season pollinators with much-needed sustenance.

Videos

Check out these interesting flowers.
An overview of Celosia argentea.
How to grow Celosia from seed.
Watch this timelapse video of Celosia growing from seed.

Resources

All You Need to Know About Celosia
How to Plant, Grow and Care for Celosia
How to Grow Celosia
How to Grow and Care for Celosia
Celosia
Wikipedia: Celosia
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 229 - 230, Celosia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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