Cockscomb plants (Celosia spp.) grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and generally bloom in summer and autumn. Two types exist, one bearing flowers of various brilliant colors that resemble a cock's comb and the other with flowers resembling a feathery plume. Cockscomb is excellent for flower beds and borders. Flowers come in a variety of colors and are useful as both dried and cut flowers. While cockscombs are generally grown as an annuals, you can grow them as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12.
Crested cockscomb flowers (Celosia cristata) consist of both tall and dwarf varieties. Tall varieties grow to 3 feet tall and 1 1/2 feet wide, while dwarf varieties grow 10 inches tall and 6 inches wide. Crested varieties have fan-shaped, velvety flower clusters that are rippled. Colors vary and include orange, yellow, red, violet, pink and white. Crested cockscomb plants are suitable for outdoor containers and may need staking when grown in flower beds.
Plume cockscomb plants (Celosia plumosa) bear plume-like flowers and come in both tall and dwarf varieties. Tall varieties grow 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall and 1 1/2 feet wide, while dwarf varieties grow 1 foot high and half as wide. Colors include shades of yellow, orange, crimson, red and purple. This variety can also grow well in outdoor containers, and taller plants do require staking.
When to Sow Seeds
Cockscomb is grown from seed started indoors in peat pots six to eight weeks before the last frost or sown outdoors after the last frost date for your area. Seeds are easy to germinate; just cover and make sure soil temperatures remain between 70 and 75 degrees. Seeds germinate in 14 to 21 days. When started indoors, you can transplant cockscomb outside after the last frost. Flowers require full sun to light shade and spacing of 12 to 18 inches between plants.
Cockscomb requires full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Plants need consistently moist soil, but not soggy; mulching is recommended to help retain moisture. Plants are low-maintenance, heat-tolerant and mostly free of pest and other problems. However, they are susceptible to fungal disease, which causes plants to wilt. If flowers are allowed to dry and remain on the plant, cockscomb can self-seed.
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brezel; Editor
- The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Flowers From Seed to Bloom; Eileen Powell
- Cornell University Growing Guide: Celosia, Plumed
- Cornell University Growing Guide: Celosia, Crested
- Texas A&M University Horticulture Update: Celosia (Celosia cristata)
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images