Feather Celosia Celosia argentea var. plumosa
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Feather Celosia:
- Phonetic Spelling
- seh-LO-see-ah ar-jen-TEE-ah ploom-OH-sah
- Description
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Plumed Celosia is an annual herb, a compact variety of Celosia in the Plumosa group that features narrow-pyramidal, plume-like flower heads (4 to 10 inches long) composed of tiny, densely-packed, vividly-colored flowers and erect stems with spear-shaped green leaves. This is a good cut flower that blooms through summer into fall and may last until the first frost. Since inflorescence color does not come from the corolla, the inflorescence can be cut, hung to dry, and it retains an attractive color when utilized as dried flowers or in floral arrangements. The genus name comes from the Greek word keleos meaning burning referring to the colorful flowers. The species argentea means "silvery", for the shiny, white bracts and tepals of the species. The group name Plumosa means "feathery" for the shape of the inflorescence.
Plumed Celosia is easily grown in humus rich, moderately fertile, consistently moist, well-drained soils in full sun, although it does tolerate light shade and dry soils. The plant thrives in hot and humid conditions. The seed may be sown directly in the garden after the last spring frost date and, for earlier bloom, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom. Plant it in border fronts, edging, or cut flower gardens. Celosia species do reseed, they should be sited in a location where their reappearance every year is not unwanted. To prevent reseeding, you can cut off the blooms before seeds appear.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect issues. Infrequent issues with aphids, whitefly and red spider mite. These issues are more frequent when the plant is grown under glass.
Susceptible to root rot, particularly in poorly drained soils. Fungal leaf spot diseases may also occur. This plant is frequently damaged by deer.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Apricot Brandy'
Pale orange flowers - 'Forest Fire'
Scarlet flowers with maroon leaves - 'Fresh Look'
Large, red, feathery plumes. - 'New Look'
Red flowers, purple-bronze foliage
- 'Apricot Brandy'
- 'Apricot Brandy', 'Forest Fire', 'Fresh Look', 'New Look'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apricot Brandy'
Pale orange flowers - 'Forest Fire'
Scarlet flowers with maroon leaves - 'Fresh Look'
Large, red, feathery plumes. - 'New Look'
Red flowers, purple-bronze foliage
- 'Apricot Brandy'
- 'Apricot Brandy', 'Forest Fire', 'Fresh Look', 'New Look'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Celosia
- Species:
- argentea
- Family:
- Amaranthaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is used as animal food, a poison and a medicine, has environmental uses and social uses and for food.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India and Nepal
- Distribution:
- Throughout Africa, Central and South America, Southern and Central United States, Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Edibility:
- The leaves and young shoots are cooked and used in soups and stews. The seeds yield edible oil.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 5 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Head
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Terminal, spicate cymes, heavily bracteated, fasciated, cristate, of carentoid pigments of bold red to yellow. Blooms from late spring to first frost.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The deeply veined leaves a simple, alternate, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate-ovate leaves, light green but darker on flowering shoots and erect stems. Older leaves have a broader base than young leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Multi-branched fleshy stems. Red flowered varieties may have red stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Poor Soil