General
Annual plants that are sometimes referred to as Cosmea.
Latin
Cosmos bipinnatus & C. sulfureus
Family: Asteraceae
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 2-10
Timing
Direct sow from early March right up until mid-June. Several sowings will result in a very long bloom period. You can also start Cosmos indoors in February to early March for transplanting late March to mid-April. Seeds will sprout in 3-10 days. Optimal temperature for germination: 21-25°C (70-75°F).
Starting
Sow seeds very shallowly only a few millimeters (1/8") deep. Thin or transplant to 20-25cm (8-10") apart.
Growing
Cosmos will flower more in poor soil, rather than rich, so avoid manures and fertilizers. Pinch out the growing point when plants are around 45cm (18") tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowering points. Water during very dry spells, but otherwise, Cosmos is well suited to xeriscaping. Seeds are easy to harvest and save.
