Cosmos
Cosmos flowers are out of this world. These plants attract bees and butterflies, making them perfect for a pollinator garden or children’s garden. The gorgeous blooms work wonderfully as cut arrangements for your home.
Cosmos is a genus of about 35 species in the daisy family. The species that thrive in Florida are Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly called garden cosmos or common cosmos, and Cosmos sulphureus, or orange cosmos. Their origin is Mexico or tropical America, making them well suited for our climate.
Both of these annuals are quite similar in their characteristics and recommended care, other than a few differences. Garden cosmos can reach 3-6 feet and has finer, string-like foliage. Its flowers come in lavender, white, red, pink, rose and violet. True to its name, orange cosmos has orange, red or yellow blooms. It is shorter, usually between 1-3 feet tall.
Cosmos prefer full sun, so plant them away from the shade of any trees or buildings. They are also pretty tough and tolerate a range of soils; they can handle both acidic and alkaline conditions with various soil textures and moisture levels.
These flowers are versatile and can be planted anywhere in the state. Make sure the danger of frost has passed before sowing the seeds outside. The most successful germination occurs when the soil temperature is between 70-75 degrees. Plant them by raking loose seeds into the soil; just be sure not to plant too deep (aim for 1/8 inch down). It’s important to keep the soil moist while waiting for your seedlings to sprout. You should expect to see some growth in a week.
Cosmos have an open, sprawling habit, which can work well as a border or mass planting. They can be floppy due to their thin, weak stems, so taller plants may need to be supported or staked. To increase the density of the plants, early pinching can create branching.
Cosmos will bloom anytime between spring and fall, usually 2-3 months after planting. Do not fertilize cosmos, as this can prevent them from producing flowers. Orange cosmos can handle the heat better than garden cosmos, so you might expect more blooms from this species during the summer. If you notice any of your cosmos have dried seeds, don’t remove the plant — letting the seeds drop cultivates a denser stand, extending the blooming season. Cosmos may occasionally have issues with bacteria wilt, canker, powdery mildew, leaf spots and aphids.
With bright colors and daisy-like blooms, cosmos can liven up any landscape, no matter what region you live in. Their tough nature and low maintenance make cosmos an excellent addition to the landscape.
Also on Gardening Solutions
- Annual Flowers
- Gardening for Bees
- Gardening for Butterflies
- Perfect Plants for Pollinators
- Summer Bedding Plants
- Warm-season Cut Flowers