​​How to Grow and Care for a Celosia Plant

So many flowers take on the same sort of silhouette—a series of soft petals with a rounded center atop a strong, green stem. Celosia plants, however, are anything but usual or subtle. These easy-to-maintain summer annuals are downright ostentatious, which makes them a fun addition to your gardenscape. 

"When you plant celosia, it is like adding a splash of the '80s to your garden with vivid, neon colors—which come in purple, red, orange, yellow, or white," says Nicole Shah, gardening expert and co-founder of Garden Girls in Houston, Texas. "Celosia has unique flowers and will be showstoppers when planted in groups in an outdoor garden.” 

Shah loves to plant hers en masse along the border of her outdoor garden, which creates a sort of kaleidoscope edging that catches the eyes of all passersby. You can take that route, intersperse them throughout your garden, or display them in pots. Whatever the case, you’ll want to review how to grow and care for your celosia.

Types of Celosia Plants

Three types of celosia flowers exist, and all look quite similar. However, there are a few key differences between each, says Nancy Trautz-Awot, horticulture specialist at Burpee Gardening. 

• Celosia Plumosa: This plant is known for its compact, upright feathery blooms and has a sort of flame-like appearance. This is the most popular variety, Shah says.
• Celosia Cristata: "Commonly known as cockscomb, this specific type has a compressed and unusually shaped, feathery blooms," Trautz-Awot says. It has the appearance of tropical coral (see above image).
• Spicata Celosia: This variety's blooms look similar to wheat, which is why it's nicknamed the wheat celosia (see below image).

How to Add Celosia Plants to Your Yard 

You can either grow celosia plants from seed or purchase mature varieties to add to your landscape.

Growing From Seed

It's easy to grow celosia from seed, but you'll want to make sure you time it right in order to ensure a thriving plant. Trautz-Awot says to sow the tiny seeds six to eight weeks before your average last frost date. This method requires some time and patience, but there's one key benefit: "If planting celosia from seed, you also have the opportunity to select from more color varieties and shapes, compared to purchasing straight from a garden center," Trautz-Awot notes. 

Purchasing and Planting Mature Celosias

Of course, you can also purchase a mature plant from a garden center in either the indoor or outdoor section (make sure to check both). This allows you to enjoy the vibrant blooms sooner. "When purchasing celosia, always inspect the plant to make sure there are no pests. Turn the container over to make sure the roots are not growing out of the bottom," Shah says. "Root bound transplants will have a harder time adjusting to their new home in your garden."

Shah recommends picking plants with lots of buds but with very few (or no) flowers. That way, you can enjoy the blooming stage of this annual in your garden versus at the store. Plant them about 8 inches apart and in a large group together for a major impact. 

Propagating Celosia 

Propagating celosias from cuttings is a simple process. Simply snip about 5 or 6 inches off the top of a tall, mature celosia plant, gently remove the leaves from the bottom half, and then place the stem in a cup filled with water. The water level should hit just above where the leaves were removed.

Wait for roots to develop—you'll be able to see this more easily if you place them in a clear jar—and then transplant into the soil. Again, keep the spacing about 8 inches apart. 

How to Care for Celosia Plants 

Celosias are an exotic plant believed to originate from the Mediterranean. As such, they prefer growing conditions that mimic this balmy, moderate climate.

Light

"Celosia performs best in a warm, full-sun location and will bloom from spring until the first frost," says Shah. Aim to plant this variety in a spot that receives six to eight hours of full sun per day.

Soil 

When planting celosia, be sure to use a well-draining soil with plenty of nutrients. Trautz-Awots suggests choosing a soil with a lot of organic matter, such as compost, mixed in. 

Water 

This plant prefers moist soil, but make sure you do not overwater your celosia; it doesn't like wet feet. A well-draining soil will help with this. 

Fertilizer 

"If grown in containers, you'll need fertilizer specifically made for annual flowers," Trautz-Awots says. "Celosias that are planted directly into the ground typically do not need fertilizer."

Pruning

The only chore associated with celosia is cutting off faded flowers (this is called deadheading), which helps encourage more blooms. 

Common Problems With Celosia Plants

Celosias are celebrated not just for their vibrant foliage, but for their low-maintenance care. As is the case with other plants, however, be on the lookout for signs of distress or disease so you can help nurse your plants back to health when problems arise.

Mildew and Root Rot 

Overwatering celosias can result in mildewing, leaf spots, or root rot. Don't give your plant too much water and keep them in a sunny spot so the soil doesn't stay too wet. Also try to avoid wetting the leaves when you water.

Sun Scorching 

While celosia prefers warm and sunny spots, too much of a good thing can stunt their growth or result in browning of the leaves or flowers. If you notice this, move the plant to a shadier spot. Very young transplants may be more susceptible to sun scorching, so keep a closer eye on them.

Mites 

If mites get ahold of your celosia, it can result in browned, brittle leaves. You can treat with neem oil or an insecticide. 

Leaf Spots 

Tiny brown or tan spots that appear on celosia leaves may be caused by a fungus. This can slowly take over the plant, eventually killing it. It helps to increase sunlight and circulation; you can also apply a fungicide treatment.