Celosia argentea var. cristata 'Tall Varieties Mix'

Celosia argentea var. cristata ‘Tall Varieties Mix’ offers a stunning blend of warm shades, from sunny yellow and soft salmon to vibrant orange, pink, and red. Commonly called Cockscomb, its bold, crested flowerheads are velvety to the touch, long-lasting, and retain their colour well, making them ideal for both fresh and dried arrangements.

The variety of shapes and colours of flowers and leaves makes Celosia a popular ornamental plant worldwide. They grow well in both humid and arid conditions, and their flowers can last for up to 8 weeks. The plants are resistant to most plant diseases and they can thrive both indoors and outdoors. However, they do best in sunny, well-drained locations. They can be grown for cutting, displayed fresh, or dried for winter bouquets

Native to tropical and temperate regions of the Americas and Asia, this member of the Amaranthaceae family grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Celosia are best sown early under protection and kept warm. From sowing to flowering takes around 90 to 120 days. Although a tender perennial, in colder climates it is best grown as an annual.
Flowering begins in July and can continue into autumn, sometimes up to the first frosts. With sturdy, ridged stems and green, sometimes reddish-tinged leaves, the plants reach 75 to 90cm (30 to 36in) tall, in rich soil they can touch 1 metre.
The large fan-shaped flowerheads may grow up to 20cm (8in) across and 30cm (12in) in length, so give them space. In windy spots, a discreet stake keeps the crests upright.
In the garden, Cockscombs bring an extravagant splash of colour to borders, patio pots, and balcony displays. They pair beautifully with simple daisies, airy cosmos, and other summer flowers, and look especially striking planted in groups of three to five, surrounded by low-growing ground covers.

Sowing: Sow March to May
Celosia is frost-sensitive, so if you wish to start seeds early, sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost. Otherwise, you can sow directly outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.
It thrives in full sunlight, so choose a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. While it tolerates partial shade, full sun will ensure more robust blooms and healthier foliage.
Note that low temperatures and insufficient light (under 12 hours/day) can cause premature flowering.

Sowing Indoors:
Sow 6 to 8 weeks before planting out. Use small seed-starting trays or pots filled with a lightweight, well-draining potting mix.
Light is required for germination, sow on the surface of the soil and press very lightly to hold seeds in place without covering them. Bottom-water or mist lightly to avoid displacing seeds and soil.
Seeds germinate best in temperatures at 21 to 24°C (70°F) and take around 10 to 15 days at 21 to 27°C. Place the trays in a bright, warm location, or use a heat mat if needed. Grow on seedlings a little cooler at 17 to 20°C. Keep the soil evenly moist, but be careful not to overwater as seedlings are susceptible to damping-off disease.
About 1 to 2 weeks before transplanting, harden off the seedlings by gradually acclimating seedlings to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for a few hours each day, increasing the time gradually. Transplant outdoors after the last frosts. Space plants about 25 to 40cm (10 to 16in) apart to allow for air circulation.

Cultivation:
The plants thrive in full sunlight, so choose a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. While they will tolerate partial shade, full sun will ensure more robust blooms and healthier foliage.
Plants need well-draining soil. Amend the soil with compost and grit where needed before planting to improve drainage and add nutrients. Avoid heavy, clayey soil, as it can retain too much water and lead to root rot. Celosia is prone to problems if over watered, so keeping the plant moist but not wet is key to success. Water regularly but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Symptoms of over watering are yellowing foliage, rotting stems, or collapsing growth. Again, be vigilant as once plants get to the wilting stage, they are unlikely to recover.
Celosia is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Water at the base to keep foliage dry and avoid fungal issues. Once established, watering once a week is often sufficient.
Plants should not require fertilising, but a slow release fertiliser can be used if blooms slow down. Use once at planting and again mid-season. Too much nitrogen can lead to more foliage than flowers, so avoid over fertilising.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Celosia doesn’t require much pruning; just remove any dead or damaged stems. Watch for aphids or fungal issues in humid conditions. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding over watering helps prevent common issues.

Cut flowers:
The crested heads of Celosia cristata last well in fresh arrangements and hold their colour when dried.
Celosia is an excellent cut flower. While they are used as a key focal flower in vases and bouquets, they are also used in cultural and ceremonial offerings. In floral garlands and festival decorations and as temple offerings in parts of India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia.
Cut stems at their peak bloom, ideally in the morning when the flowers are fresh and hydrated. Choose healthy, bright-colored blooms, as they’ll retain colour best. Avoid overfilling the vase and make sure to change the water often to prevent stem rot.
Because of its long-lasting colour and texture, Celosia makes an excellent addition to dried floral designs. Strip the leaves from the stems to prevent them from rotting or moulding during the drying process.
Bundle a few stems together and tie them with a rubber band or string. Hang them upside down in a warm, dry, dark area with good ventilation. Drying upside down helps the flowers maintain their shape, and a dark space prevents colour fading. Leave the Celosia to dry for about 2 to 3 weeks, or until the stems are brittle to the touch. Once dried, Celosia can last for years and is perfect for arrangements and wreaths.

Ornamental Uses:
Garden borders and beds, Cut or dried flower, Cultural and ceremonial offerings. Culinary uses, as an edible vegetable / grain or as a decorative garnish.

Culinary Uses:
Though cristata is grown more for its flowers, the leaves, flowers, and seeds are all edible. Botanically speaking, Celosia belong to the Amaranthaceae family along with edible herbaceous grains like amaranth and quinoa. In some regions, in parts of Africa and Asia, young leaves of some types are eaten as leafy greens. The young shoots and leaves make a pleasant spinach-like vegetable that can be used in many recipes, such as soups and stews.
Additionally, the seeds are edible and classified as pseudocereals. Due to its resistance to pests and disease and its high crop yield, cockscomb appears to be a good alternative to amaranth. The seeds are used as a grain and an edible oil can also be obtained from the seed. Each flower is capable of producing a high number of seeds, up to 1,500 per gram.
In Korea, cockscomb flowers are sometimes used as a traditional garnish for desserts, rice cakes and flower-infused alcoholic beverages.

Origin:
Celosia are thought to have originated in tropical Africa, but it’s been grown in Asia for centuries and is now deeply tied to Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian gardens. (So, Africa for its wild ancestors, Asia for much of its long cultivation history.)
They grow naturally in environments and climates very different to our own and are mostly found in humid tropical regions. Many Celosia, however, are cultivated in other regions, including temperate climes, for their ornamental appeal and as a food source.
There are many different varieties of Celosia, generally split into two distinctly different types: Celosia plumosa is known as plume flower, plume of feathers and Prince of Wales’ feathers, due to the upright and feathery shape of its blooms. Celosia cristata is known as cockscomb for its compressed, unusually shaped, and contorted blooms.
Celosia makes an excellent cut flower and is particularly popular in Japan, where a number of varieties have been developed for that purpose.
Botanically speaking, Celosia belong to the Amaranthaceae family along with edible herbaceous grains like amaranth and quinoa.

Nomenclature:
Celosia argentea var. cristata (formerly Celosia cristata), is known as cockscomb, is the cristate variety of the species Celosia argentea.
In botany, 'cristate' means 'crested' and describes a plant part that’s grown into a wavy, comb-like, or fan-shaped crest. So, 'var. cristata' just means it’s the crested variety, with the wavy, cockscomb-shaped blooms rather than the feathery plumes of Celosia argentea var. plumosa.
The genus name Celosia comes from the Greek word kelos, meaning 'burned' or 'burning.' Referring to the flame-like shape of some species’ blooms and its vivid, fiery colours.
The species name argentea derives from the Latin for 'silver' describing the sheen of the leaves or flowers in some forms.
The common name of Cockscomb or Crested Cockscomb (both names are widely used) comes from the flower's appearance, which resembles the crest (called the comb) on the head of a rooster (cock).
It also has the alternative name of Woolflower due to its strangely-shaped flowerheads.