About
Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Dragon's Breath' is a robust, bushy plant reaching up to 60 cm in height, typically cultivated as an annual. It features vivid red blooms that emerge in airy, feathery pyramidal clusters measuring up to 25 cm long, set against a backdrop of large, dark red foliage.
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
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Annual that can be grown outside once frosts have passed. Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with good ventilation. Outdoors, plant in moist but well-drained fertile soil in full sun in a sheltered position. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in early or late spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and aphids under glass
- Disease resistance
- Foot and root rot and fungal leaf spot diseases may occur