There are few flowers as showy as celosias. Whether you plant the plumed type with its striking upright spires or the crested type with its fascinating twisted form, you’ll love using celosia in bouquets. The flowers are beautiful fresh, but they can be dried easily if hung upside down. They bloom in the striking colors of a glowing sunset.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Celosia ( see-LOH-shee-ə) is a small genus of edible and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Its species are commonly known as woolflowers, or, if the flower heads are created by fasciation, cockscombs. The plants are well known in East Africa’s highlands and are used under their Swahili name, mfungu.
The generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek word κήλεος (kḗleos), meaning “burning”, and refers to the colourful flame-like flower heads.
II. Types of Celosia
Of approximately 60 species of celosia, most garden varieties are members of the C. argentea and C. spicata species. Celosia flowers come in various sizes, colors, textures, and shapes. Here are a few well-loved favorites.
- Bombay series: A conversation piece in the garden, they produce unique brain-like blooms in various colors, 30 to 40 inches tall. The vibrant pink shades include ‘Pink,’ ‘Candy,’ ‘Firosa,’ and ‘Fisal.’
- Castle Scarlet™ series: This variety features electrifying crimson plumes for lovers of red blooms, growing 16 to 20 inches high.
- ‘Flamingo Feather’: These show-stoppers grow up to four feet tall with spiky pink blooms.
- Fresh Look series: Feathery plumes on compact plants (14 inches tall) tolerate wet or dry conditions and are very heat tolerant. They come in a range of vibrant colors.
- Sunday™ Gold: These celosia have golden, buttery yellow plumes contrasted with deep green foliage, growing from 24 to 30 inches tall.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Celosia needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom at its best, most colorful self. However, if your garden has only partial sun, planting where it receives the most sunlight (morning or afternoon) will help keep the blooms vigorous.
Temperature and Humidity
Celosia plants tolerate heat and love a hot summer to produce vivid blooms. In a humid season, take care not to overwater, and keep the surface soil in containers dry between waterings if possible to prevent fungal diseases.
Watering
Water your celosia regularly in hot or dry weather; let the soil surface dry to the touch before watering, and avoid overwatering.
Soil
Celosia is tolerant of all soils but grows best in well-drained soils that don’t become waterlogged. In containers, any standard potting mix will do. Although celosias can tolerate clay soil, the plants will likely fail during heavy rainfall or overwatering periods.
Fertilizing
Celosias produce their vivid flowers without requiring much fertilization, especially if your garden soil or potting medium is rich with compost. If the plants begin to look tired, add some seaweed or fish emulsion to the watering can to boost trace nutrients. A basic high-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer is also suitable for celosia. Avoid the base of the plant by the roots when adding fertilizer.
Planting Instructions
After all danger of frost has passed in spring, plant your celosia plants in well-draining soil in the garden or outdoor containers. Celosia plants obtained from a nursery in season should be planted as soon as possible.
The ideal growing condition for Celosia is a full-sun location to bloom at its best. If planting in your garden, look at the specifications on the tag for the specific variety to help you determine the proper spacing between plants; there’s a wide range of sizes among celosia varieties, so be sure to give them the room they need.
Tall varieties of Celosia require staking. If you plant a tall variety with large flower heads in an open area, winds or storms can cause stem breakage. Planting these large flowering types in a sheltered part of the garden makes staking optional; if the plants receive the full sun, they must stay vigorous.
Pruning
To encourage branching and more blooms as the plant grows and gets to about 6 inches, pinch off the stems. Pruning is unnecessary for celosia, but for most varieties, if you deadhead or remove the flowers soon after they fade, they will likely rebloom.
Propagation
Most people buy celosia plants from a nursery as a decorative annual for planting in their gardens and containers. However, you can also propagate them from cuttings. Here’s how:
- Cut the top four to six inches of the plant.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Place in water up to the top of the leafless area.
- Roots should appear within three weeks. Refresh or top off the water as it evaporates at least once a week.
- Transplant the cuttings to potting medium in containers or into the garden once the danger of frost has passed.
Growing from Seed
Celosia is relatively easy to start from seed. The plants will flower about three months after the seeds germinate, so you should start the seeds indoors about six weeks before your average last frost date. Otherwise, direct sow seeds in the spring when the threat of frost is gone. Here’s how:
- Use a standard potting mix.
- Seeds require warm, moist soil, so if you have a seedling heat mat to provide warmth, use it. Otherwise, provide temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees for best germination and to prevent damping off disease.
- Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep, about 8 inches apart.
- Seeds should take about one to two weeks to germinate.
Potting and Repotting
Celosia do not like their roots disturbed. Since this annual only grows for one season, transplant it once to its permanent spot in the ground or a potting container as a seedling.
This plant prefers a garden bed but will grow in containers with ample drainage. Plant it at least eight inches from its neighbor.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Diseases
Usually, celosia are quite resistant to diseases or pests, especially the newer hybrid varieties. They might occasionally be bothered by spider mites, stem rot, or leaf spot. Spider mites can be controlled in a few different ways.
A fungus in garden soil usually causes stem rot and can be prevented by not overwatering and improving soil drainage. A fungus causes leaf spot and can spread if not addressed immediately. Snip off the affected leaves, let the plant dry out and watch for any spread on the plant.
Common Problems
Celosia are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. Steady, full sun and regular watering are all this plant needs. Be mindful of not keeping the soil overly wet.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves can often indicate underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests. Check each of these factors and adjust appropriately.
Curling or Drooping Leaves
Curling or drooping leaves might be a sign of overwatering. Celosia is overly sensitive to wet or soggy soil. Wait longer in between water cycles.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Garden uses
The plant is annual. Seed production in these species can be very high, 200–700 kg per hectare. One ounce of seed may contain up to 43,000 seeds. One thousand seeds can weigh 1.0–1.2 grams. Depending upon the location and fertility of the soil, blossoms can last 8–10 weeks.
C. argentea and C. cristata are common garden ornamental plants.
- Culinary uses
Celosia argentea var. argentea or Lagos spinach (a.k.a. quail grass, soko, celosia, feather cockscomb) is a broadleaf annual leaf vegetable. It grows widespread across Mexico, where it is known as “velvet flower”, northern South America, tropical Africa, the West Indies, South, East and Southeast Asia where it is grown as a native or naturalized wildflower, and is cultivated as a nutritious leafy green vegetable. It is traditional fare in the countries of Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as “soko yokoto”, meaning “make husbands fat and happy”. In Spain it is known as “Rooster comb” because of its appearance.
As a grain, Celosia is a pseudo-cereal, not a true cereal.
These leaves, young stems and young inflorescences are used for stew, as they soften up readily in cooking. The leaves also have a soft texture and a mild spinach-like taste.
- Cultural Symbolism
The genus Celosia is also recognized as an important cultural symbol in Cebu, Philippines. The local government of Cebu City, together with Sinulog Foundation Incorporated (SFI), declared the Celosia flower as the official flower of the Sinulog Festival, the grandest festival in the Philippines held in honor of Santo Niño every third Sunday of January. The reason for the move was that the flowers’ colors, which are predominantly red and yellow, resemble the colors of the cape, crown, and other regalia of the Infant Jesus. Celosia argentea flowers are still grown seasonally in Sirao Garden, located Barangay Sirao, Cebu City.
