About

Celosia 'Century Red' is a compact, upright variety typically cultivated as an annual. It features dense clusters of oval leaves, supporting feathery red flower plumes that rise on robust red stems, reaching up to 30 cm in height. This plant blooms from 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
Grow indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost, in full light with good ventilation. 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 aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to foot and root rot, and fungal leaf spot diseases