About
This compact annual forms a dense mound of slender, light green leaves, which are topped with upright, branching spikes adorned with delicate cream-colored blooms from mid-summer through early autumn.
About the genus
Celosia can be classified as annuals, perennials, or shrubs. They feature either simple or lobed leaves that are arranged alternately. The small flowers, which are vividly colored, are grouped in large, plume-like clusters. Numerous cultivated varieties are closely associated with C. argentea.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Start from seed in a warm greenhouse or conservatory, in full light with good ventilation, or buy young plants. Often used as bedding, may be planted outdoors once risk of frost has passed, in a sunny, sheltered position in fertile, well-drained soil
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and aphids under glass
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to foot and root rot and fungal leaf spot