Celosia Plants for Sale Online
Celosia plants are an annual flower that has been grown in the garden and pots for many years. One of the reasons this plant is so popular is that theyre so easy to grow. You can succeed with celosia in just about any sunny spot, including container gardens, landscape beds, and mixed borders.
Many new varieties of celosia are available that offer plenty of options for designing your garden or containers. The Crested types have interesting, coral-like colorful flowers that give rise to one of the plants common names, cockscomb.
All types of Celosia are particularly striking as cut flowers. The Plume types have feathery flowers that look like flames plumes and are particularly useful in container gardens for adding vertical appeal, color, and texture. The flowers will hold their color when properly dried.
This sun-loving flower mixes beautifully with other flowers in the landscape, but they also look stunning on their own when planted in large groups. This easy-to-grow flower attracts butterflies and pollinators too!
How to Plant Celosia in the Garden
Celosia grow best in full sun -- this means cockscombs wants at least six hours of direct sun per day. In less light, celosia may flop over and bloom less. Celosia likes regular watering to help it get established, but once it adjusts to its new home, it's quite a drought-tolerant plant. Consistent watering during hot, dry periods helps it bloom more profusely.
Planting Celosia in Patio Containers
Celosia plants are an excellent choice for patio containers. Celosia is especially useful in fall containers as they add instant pop to mixed pots. Use celosia as a filler in your pots. Taller centerpiece plants are generally considered thrillers as they are usually the focal point.
Celosia makes a great filler as the foliage covers the soil and the flowers typically complement the centerpiece. Spillers typically trail over the pot softening the hard edge of some containers.
Fertilizing Celosia Plants
Fertilize celosia plants when you plant them using a well-balanced fertilizer such as Bio-tone by espoma or a fertilizer purchased at your local store. A slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote gives the plant nutrients through the growing season, so you don't have to worry about remembering to feed each month. You can also use a water-soluble fertilizer each time you water, but we recommend mixing it at half-strength. No matter which fertilizer you use, do be sure to follow the directions on the packaging.
How to Dry Celosia Flowers
To enjoy Celosia Flowers all year long, you can dry the flowers and add them to seasonal flower arrangements. Harvest Celosia flowers in the morning after the dew has dried. Look for mature blooms when selecting flowers to dry. Choose the longest stems and place them in a bucket of water until you can process them indoors.
Bundle six to eight stems with a rubber band and hang them upside down for the best results. Keep the stems straight in a warm, dry location, such as an attic or shed. To preserve the color, dry the flowers in a dark space. Space the hanging bundles to allow good air circulation and avoid mold. The blooms should be dry in about a month.
Note: Celosia flowers that have begun to dry on the plant will not retain their color when brought inside. These are not good candidates for drying. When it comes to colorful dried flowers, choose the freshest flowers possible. Celosia is also called wool flowers for their ability to be dried.