How To Grow Celosia Flowers From Seed

Celosia, also known as cockscomb is an airy summer annual that flowers in all shapes crested, plume and spiky and does really well as a dried flower at the end of the season. 

Celosia thrives in warmer weather and enjoys well draining soil, and does not like to be water logged.

I have found start the celosia seed too early here in spring (cool climate) very slow to germinate, as opposed to waiting until summer where they germinate within 2 weeks. Make sure any risks of frosts have passed before sowing. 

My favourite cutting types are the pink spikes - Flamingo Grass as pictured above and deeper pink, Parfait Roseberry. 

Last year we were lucky enough to stock the amazing Floret Original Celosia which were bred by Erin Benzakein from Floret, spending over 7 years perfecting her colour range of celosia, from deep grape Sangria to soft Dusty Rose.

Sowing + Germination Tips:  

• Sow the seed in spring, once all risks of frosts have gone and early summer - cool climates wait until early summer. 
• Raise the seeds as seedlings, light is needed for germination and will take 10-14 days @ 21-27°C.
• As the seeds are tiny, I would suggest to either bottom water or mist watering. Heavy watering will cause the seeds to be washed too far down into the soil and unable to germinate. 

Planting Tips:

• Once the seedlings are around 6 weeks of growth and have 2-3 sets of true leaves they can be transferred into the garden, but first they will need to be hardened off to prevent any transplant shock. 
• Choose a full sun position to plant out the seedlings that has well draining soil.
• Space each plant 15-30cm apart.
• Some taller varieties will need netting support again winds.
• Pinching some varieties can help produce more flowers, although not all should be pinched. The following varieties can be pinched when when around 15-30cm tall; celosia cristata and plumosa.   

Harvesting Tips:

• Celosia will flower over a long period.
• Harvest the flowers when they are in full bloom and place them straight into a bucket of cold water to hydrate. They will last up to 14 days in a vase if water is changed often. 
• If drying the flowers, remove the foliage and hang upside down. 
• Saving the seeds once the flower heads are dry and the seeds become visible and black. Then lay flat to dry on paper in a warm dry area for a few weeks. Then the seeds will be ok to store in an airtight contain for the next season.