Celosia (cockscomb) Celosia argentea
Celosia (cockscomb) (Celosia argentea) is an annual flowering plant in the Amaranthaceae family, native to Tropical Africa and Asia. It grows 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) tall and 25–50 cm (10–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Celosia (cockscomb) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Mature height | 30 cm–1 m (12 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 25–50 cm (10–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | about 7–11 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 100 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: young leaves, young shoots |
| Native to | Tropical Africa and Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Celosia (cockscomb) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: leaves, seeds
Leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable in parts of Africa and Asia, but they contain oxalates and nitrates; not listed by ASPCA.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Celosia (cockscomb)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Celosia (cockscomb) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (86 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (16 plants)
Questions about Celosia (cockscomb)
- How far apart should I plant Celosia (cockscomb)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–50 cm (10–20 in).
- Does Celosia (cockscomb) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Celosia (cockscomb) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Celosia (cockscomb)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Celosia (cockscomb) flower?
- About 7–11 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks.
- Is Celosia (cockscomb) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable in parts of Africa and Asia, but they contain oxalates and nitrates; not listed by ASPCA.
- What grows well with Celosia (cockscomb)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Celosia (cockscomb). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Grown as a warm-season annual; plume, crested (cockscomb) and spike forms differ in height and bloom time. The crested forms are classed as Celosia argentea var. cristata.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Spinach Spinacia oleracea
- Swiss chard Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris (Cicla)
- Beetroot Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
- Amaranth (leaf, callaloo) Amaranthus tricolor
- Quinoa Chenopodium quinoa
- Love-lies-bleeding (kiwicha) Amaranthus caudatus
- Epazote Dysphania ambrosioides
- Globe amaranth Gomphrena globosa