Celosia species
Botanical Name
Celosia argentea var. cristata, Celosia argentea var. plumosa, Celosia argentea var. spicata
Hardiness
Zones 10 to 11, grown as annual elsewhere
Height
6 to 36 inches
Width
8 to 20 inches
Flowers
Summer to frost: red, yellow, gold, orange, pink, purple; plume type (plumosa), crested type (cristata), wheat type (spicata)
Light
Full sun
Soil
Well drained to dry
Planting and Care
Space plants 6 to 8 inches apart for smaller varieties and 8 to 20 inches apart for larger varieties; heat and drought tolerant
Problems
Stem rot and leaf spot in poorly drained soils, mites
Varieties to Consider
'Apricot Brandy' - 1981 AAS winner
'Castle' Series - 14", weather tolerance, 1990 AAS winner
'New Look Red" & 'New Look Yellow' - AAS Gold Medal winners, plume type, 12-18"
'Flamingo' Series - wheat type, tall
'Pink Candle' - wheat type, short
'Castle' Series - 14", weather tolerance, 1990 AAS winner
'New Look Red" & 'New Look Yellow' - AAS Gold Medal winners, plume type, 12-18"
'Flamingo' Series - wheat type, tall
'Pink Candle' - wheat type, short
Did you know?
Crested types of Celosia are due to fasciation. This abnormal cell growth results produces flatten stems and a proliferation of flower buds.