Cosmos Care Made Simple: Expert Guide To Growing Cosmos

Expert Guide To Growing Cosmos For Easy Border Beauty

Growing cosmos plants at home is a quick and easy way to beautify your summer landscape. Thriving in both beds and containers, these beauties are low-maintenance with a charming, carefree growth habit.

Cosmos rewards us with bursting blooms from summer through fall. Their hardworking pink-purple tones sway atop wiry stems within weeks from planting, attracting pollinators and creating habitat for local wildlife. This guide will explore growing cosmos in greater detail, taking special interest in their cultivation and continued care throughout the season.

QUICK FACTS:

• Botanical name:
• Cosmos binpinnatus
• Height: 12-48 in.
• Spread: 24-36 in.
• Sun exposure: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Neutral, slightly alkaline
• Hardiness zones: Annual, USDA Zones 2-11
• When to plant: Spring

Caring for Cosmos

• Lighting Conditions
• Be sure that your cosmos garden beds receive full sun. These plants will bloom best where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of direct light each day. Though they can tolerate less, too much shade may result in tall or leggy stems as well as poor flower production.
• Temperature & Humidity
• A tender annual, cosmos cannot tolerate cool temperatures. When they’re planted too early they may not germinate well or can show stunted growth through the spring. Cosmos flourish where conditions remain warm, with their ideal range between 60-80F (16-27C) Humidity is only seldom a consideration at planting, as the flower is well-adapted to varying levels of atmospheric moisture.
• Watering Needs
• To grow cosmos from seed, keep your flower beds consistently moist throughout the germination process. Though established plants are able to better withstand brief periods of drought, cosmos appreciates steady rainfall. You may need to provide supplemental irrigation where conditions are especially dry or when the plants are grown in pots and containers. Use deep-watering techniques, watering at a rate of 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week.
• Fertilizing
• Cosmos can thrive in less-than-ideal soils and poor fertility. Feeding is only seldom recommended, since rich or nutrient-dense soil can lead to plants that are especially weak and fragile, and those that fail to produce blooms.
• Soil & Compost
• Cosmos perform well under a wide range of soil conditions. This includes soils that are sandy, rocky, or composed of heavy clay. Provided that the planting sites drain well, you can expect your cosmos to thrive, even without the addition of compost or other soil amendments.
• Problems, Pests & Diseases
• Cosmos are only rarely affected by disease. However, fungal issues such as gray mold and powdery mildew can develop where growing conditions are less than ideal. Several types of pests may also call the plant their home. Most notable among these are aphids, which can occur in large numbers if left untreated. Throughout the season, gardeners should routinely monitor for sudden changes in plants’ appearance that may indicate trouble. This includes yellowing of foliage, stunted growth, or wilt.

When and How to Plant Cosmos

Cosmos can be planted in spring, either indoors or sown directly into the garden. If potted into trays under grow lights, be sure to do this no sooner than 2-4 weeks before the last frost date. Promptly transplant cosmos seedlings outdoors once the weather has warmed. This will help get your plants off to a strong start.

Direct seeding in prepared beds can also be done at this time, with germination occurring in as little as 7-10 days from planting. Though you may find success by simply scattering seeds, the average cosmos planting distance generally ranges between 9-12 in. (23-30 cm) apart.

Many gardeners question if they can also begin growing cosmos plants in containers. The answer to this, of course, is a resounding, “Yes!” Dwarf varieties are especially well-suited for use in pots and other ornamental planters. Like their garden counterparts, seeds and transplants can be moved outdoors as soon as the weather has warmed sufficiently in spring.

Cosmos Deadheading & Trimming

Flowering from midsummer until the arrival of the first frost in fall, cosmos produces a continued profusion of blooms, requiring only little intervention. You can help plants look their best by removing spent flowers, otherwise known as “deadheading.” Deadheading will also prevent the production and subsequent drop of mature seed into garden beds. This is especially important if you don’t want the plant to self-seed or return the following season.

Beyond deadheading, cosmos often benefits from trimming. Cut cosmos flowers make an excellent addition to homegrown arrangements and bouquets, demonstrating an impressive vase life. You may want to prune back tired plants after their initial flush of blooms as a way to stimulate the plants’ growth and flower production into fall.

How to Propagate Cosmos

Propagating this plant is done through their seeds. Most cultivars are available at garden centers in spring, though many flower lovers choose to save the seed of open-pollinated varieties for themselves.

As noted, seeds can be sown indoors in late winter. This allows eager gardeners a “jump start” on the growing season. Seed trays require ample light and warmth in order to yield the best results. The ideal temperature for germination lies between 70-75F (21-25 C). Seeds can also be sown directly in prepared beds, provided all chances of frost have passed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Long Does Cosmos Take to Grow?

Though “days to maturity” will vary from one cultivar to the next, you can expect most cosmos types to begin flowering approximately 7-9 weeks from planting.

Does Cosmos Come Back Every Year?

Cosmos are annuals. The term “annual” refers to plants that grow, flower, set seed, and die within a single season. Though this year’s plants will not return, cosmos that have been allowed to set seed are known for their prolific ability to self-sow, thus, most gardeners expect the return of plants year after year.

How Do You Make Cosmos Bushy?

Cosmos plants benefit from “pinching.” Cutting or snipping the growth tip of each stem helps to promote a compact, bushier form which may even increase flower production.