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Celosia

Phonetic Spelling
seh-LOH-see-ah
Description

Cock's comb is a genus of annual or tender perennial plants in the Amaranthaceae (pigweed) family. The name comes from the Greek word kḗleos meaning burning and refers to the flame-like flowers. The flowers range in shape as plumes and crested types and colors and can be yellow, white, orange, pink and red. There are both tall and dwarf varieties.

Celosia tolerates most soils except heavy clay and does not like wet feet. They do best grown in full sun and well-drained soils.

Cleosias are showy long-blooming annuals that add a splash of color when planted en masse or as an accent in the garden and also do well in pots. They often will readily reseed so deadhead if this is not desirable.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Cleosias are resistant to most diseases and pests but mites, leaf spots, and stem rot can occur. The biggest problem stems from too wet soils and cold weather. 

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.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#edible plant#white flowers#red flowers#yellow flowers#showy leaves#orange flowers#long-lasting flowers#long bloom time#cutting garden#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#edible plant#white flowers#red flowers#yellow flowers#showy leaves#orange flowers#long-lasting flowers#long bloom time#cutting garden#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Celosia
    Family:
    Amaranthaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa
    Edibility:
    Young leaves can be eaten and have a spinach-like flavor. Young stems and flowers can be used in stews.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Flowers vary in size, shape and color. They are classified as plumed or crested types.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Usually green with the mid-rib matching the color of the flower. Some have showy burgundy or gold leaves. Simple, alternate, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate-ovate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stem color often matches the color of the flower
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Pond
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Edible Garden
    English Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer