Overview
Single flowers, 3–4" across, in lavender, pink, magenta and white.
Cosmos are annual flowers with daisy-like flowers that sit atop long slender stems and bloom throughout the summer. They attract beneficial insects and birds to your garden and grow easily from seed. Blooms vary in color but include pink, orange, red, yellow, white, and maroon. Cosmos grow in both beds and containers—and they also make great cut flowers!
Conditions
Cosmos do not require any special soil conditions, and are even well-adapted to survive in poor soils. They are also drought tolerant. For optimal blooms and large plants, provide full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day). Tall varieties may benefit from some wind protection.
Planting
Cosmos are most commonly started indoors and transplanted into the garden. Use our grow calendar tool to find specific planting dates for your region! Seeds germinate quickly in 7-10 days.
Plant seeds indoors in starter pots or trays 5-7 weeks before your desired transplant date. Plant ¼" deep and keep the soil surface moist until emergence. Transition outside (harden) for 7 days before outdoor transplant. Space 9-12" apart.
Care
Do not overwater, as cosmos can tolerate short periods of drought. Deadheading (removing old flowers) will encourage new flowers to grow in their place and prolong the bloom period. There is no need to fertilize cosmos during growth.
Harvest
Harvest flowers when petals are just opening, but not yet flattened. Cosmos flowers will self-seed if left on the stem.
