Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) are fast-growing, low-maintenance annuals that brighten any garden with their daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and crimson. With tall airy stems and feathery foliage, Cosmos add a wildflower charm to borders, beds, and containers. They thrive in poor soil, attract bees and butterflies, and make excellent cut flowers for long-lasting arrangements.
Seed Information
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Type: Flower Seeds
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Common Name: Cosmos
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Genus: Cosmos
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Life Cycle: Annual
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Features: Easy to grow, colorful daisy-like blooms, drought tolerant once mature, pollinator friendly, great for cut flowers
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Season of Interest: Summer through fall
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Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
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Sunlight: Full sun
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Cultivating Difficulty: Easy
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Watering: Light to moderate
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Climate: Temperate, Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical, Semiarid
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Growth Habit: Upright, 2–5 ft tall, feathery foliage
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Soil Type: Well-draining, tolerates poor soil
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Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
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Planting Time: Spring after last frost
Grow Instructions
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When to Plant: Direct sow outdoors after frost danger has passed; or start indoors 4–6 weeks early
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Soil: Well-draining soil, low fertility is best
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Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
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Watering: Light to moderate, avoid overwatering
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Spacing: 12–18 inches apart
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Germination: 7–14 days at 65–70°F (18–21°C)
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Bloom Season: Summer to frost
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Tips: Deadhead regularly to extend blooming; stake taller varieties to prevent wind damage