Celosia: Types, Growing from Seed and Using It in Bouquets

Celosia is one of the brightest summer annuals: its feathery plumes and velvety crests blaze red, crimson, orange and yellow right up to the first frost. It is easy to grow from seed, lasts well as a cut flower and dries beautifully, so florists use it both in fresh bouquets and in dried arrangements.

Bright autumn flowers: chrysanthemums and flower baskets.

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Types of celosia

Celosia belongs to the amaranth family. Gardens usually grow forms of Celosia argentea, divided into three groups by the shape of the flower head.

• Plume celosia has fluffy pyramid-shaped heads; there are short varieties for edging and tall ones for cutting.
• Crested celosia (cockscomb) has a dense, wavy head that looks like a rooster’s comb or velvet coral.
• Wheat celosia has slim spikes resembling grain heads, usually pink, lilac or silvery.

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Growing from seed

• Sow indoors in March or April, barely covering the seed; it germinates at about 22–25 °C.
• Plant out after the last frost, in late May or early June. Celosia dislikes root disturbance, so raise seedlings in individual cells or cups.
• Site: sunny and warm, with light, free-draining soil.
• Watering: moderate; celosia copes with a little drought better than with wet soil.
• Feeding: every 2–3 weeks with a flowering-plant fertiliser, not too much nitrogen.

In a cool-temperate climate celosia is grown as an annual: it flowers from July until the first frost and is sown again the following year.

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Celosia in bouquets

Cut heads that are fully coloured. Strip the lower leaves, trim the stems and put them in clean water; celosia lasts a week or more in a vase. Its bright plumes pair well with chrysanthemums, roses, dahlias and grasses, especially in autumn arrangements; see “Autumn bouquets”.

How to dry celosia

• Cut the heads in dry weather once they are fully open.
• Strip the leaves and tie the stems in small bunches.
• Hang them upside down in a dark, dry, airy place for 2–3 weeks.

Dried celosia keeps its colour for a long time. More on dried and preserved flowers: “Preserved and dried flowers”.

FAQ

Can I grow celosia in a pot?

Yes, dwarf varieties do well in containers on a sunny balcony.

Why is my celosia not flowering?

Usually it lacks sun and warmth, or the seedlings were damaged when transplanted.

Can I save the seed?

Yes: leave a few heads to ripen, then shake out the tiny black seeds and store them somewhere dry.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.