How to Grow Cockscomb Flowers

Cockscomb flowers resemble the crests on roosters.

Cockscomb flowers (Celosia argentea var. plumosa) are annual plants with feathery, flame-like blossoms. These flowers are used in flower beds, borders, containers and dried flower arrangements. Cockscombs grow 6 to 36 inches tall spreading 6 to 12 inches wide. The upright blossoms appear from summer until fall in bright red, orange, yellow, purple, white and pink. Cockscomb flowers are not native to North America and not considered aggressive or invasive.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Compost
• Garden hoe
• Rake
• Sand
• Water
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Remove the weeds and grass from an area located in full to partial sun with well-draining soil. Shake the top soil off the roots of the weeds and grass. Dig the soil up to the depth of 6 inches with a shovel. Mix in a 4- to 6-inch layer of compost into the loosened soil. Break up any large soil clumps with a garden hoe. Rake the soil smooth and level.

2. Sprinkle the soil with the fine flower seeds and cover with 1/4-inch layer of sand. It takes 14 to 21 days for the cockscomb seeds to germinate when temperatures are 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cockscomb seedlings are commercially available at garden centers and plant nurseries. Plant them 10 to 12 inches apart in the prepared bed.

3. Sprinkle the soil with water whenever the soil looks like it is starting to dry out. This flower needs constantly moist soil, but not soggy soil. Stick to a regular watering schedule whenever it does not rain.

4. Feed the flowers slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer every two to four weeks. Scratch 1 to 3 tsp. of fertilizer per plant into the top 1/2-inch of soil. Water the soil immediately after applying to start the fertilizer working. This allows the plants to grow tall and produce an abundance of blossoms.

5. Pinch back the first flowers of the season to promote the growth of branches. Remove the tip of the stem back to the first set of leaves. Each stem will split and grow more tips, which will produce more flower spikes.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray with a stream of water when the plants are infested with aphids, which are occasionally a problem. Most insect pests and plant diseases do not bother cockscomb flowers.

• Drought conditions cause the cockscomb plants to grow stunted and not produce any flowers. Growth and flowers suffer if temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

References

• Cornell University Growing Guide: Plumed Celosia
• Floridata; Celosia; Steve Christman; March 2004
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Celosia Plumosa Cockscomb; Edward F. Gilman, et al
• University of Illinois Extension; Growing Celosia; Rita Kemme; September 2007