Celosia: Perennial or Annual?
Celosia is a short-lived perennial in its native habitat and in tropical areas, but it’s usually grown as an annual because it doesn’t tolerate cold conditions well. In the States and northern Europe, celosia is best known as a brightly colored, easy-to-grow annual that requires re-seeding each year, but if you bring it indoors and keep it toasty warm, it may make it through the winter months. In the USA, celosias are only perennial in zones 10-12.
What Does Perennial Mean?
Perennial means a plant that lives for two or more years. Perennials can be evergreen or deciduous. Deciduous means the foliage, and often the stem, die back over winter to survive the cold months as a root ball. It will re-emerge in spring to grow new foliage and flowers. Annual plants complete their lifecycle in one year and then die. Because celosias are so reliant on warmth, they struggle to make it through cold winter. This is why some gardeners grow “annual” celosia.
What Is Celosia?
Celosia is a tender perennial in the Amaranthaceae family, that’s better known as wool flower, velvet flower, or cockscomb. Celosia is derived from keleous which means burning in ancient Greek. It’s an excellent name that describes its tall and vivid flowers. Celosias are native to tropical and subtropical America, the Arabian peninsula, and Africa. There are 46 accepted species spread across its native range and most other countries where they are grown as garden ornamentals. In their native habitats, celosias are a popular food. In central and west Africa, celosia argentea is better known as Lagos spinach, and it’s a popular leafy vegetable! It’s also widely eaten in Asia and India. Celosia is a sun worshipper, and it will grow in hot climates without much assistance, so scientists think it may be a solution for the malnourished corners of our world that receive little rainfall. Celosia is a wide-ranging genus with varieties and cultivars ranging from 3-4 inches to 5-6 feet tall, but they all have one thing in common—they love heat, tolerate drought, and have exotic flower heads.
Types of Celosia
The main types of celosia grown in the States are:
Crested Celosia (Celosia Cristata)
Crested celosia have odd-looking brain-like flowers. They can grow up to 40 inches tall with 7-8 inch flower heads. The flowers range from red, gold, and yellow to a mix.
Plumed Celosia (Celosia Argentea)
This species of celosia has soft and fluffy flower head plumes. It reaches 12-40 inches tall and blazes in yellow, cream, red, and orange shades.
Spiked Celosia (Celosia Spicata)
This celosia is often called wheat celosia. It has a spikey flower head resembling a head of wheat. Its flowers are numerous but they are less flamboyant than the plumed and crested shades. Some cultivars reach 3-4 feet tall. Confusingly, all three of these species are commonly called wool flower or cockscomb!
How To Grow Celosia
You may have already guessed that celosia species need lots of sun and well-drained soil, but they are not too fussy and will grow pretty much anywhere if the soil is fertile but well drained. As well as full sun, they like a sheltered spot that’s not blasted by strong winds. Container-grown celosias bring a huge hit of color to a balcony or deck. Even one or two plants are enough to brighten a bare spot. Celosias enjoy a container’s well-drained conditions, but they will need more water in a pot and regular fertilizer.
Do Celosias Come Back Each Year?
In zones 10-12, and tropical areas, celosia comes back each year because it’s naturally a perennial not an annual, but anything cooler will kill it. In all zones below 10, and areas that receive frost, celosia can be grown like an annual.
How Long Does Celosia Flower For?
Celosia is very long-flowering. It will begin to bloom from mid-spring and carry on right up until autumn. Anecdotal stories suggest celosia can bloom for 3-4 months of the year.
Is Celosia A Hardy Perennial?
No, quite the opposite. All species of celosia are tender perennials that can’t tolerate frost, but if you really love your celosia, try bringing it indoors for winter. Celosias are excellent houseplants given a good amount of sunlight.
Are Celosia Cut And Come Again?
It’s not an officially recognized cut and come again plant, but celosia will repeat flower if its dead blooms are removed. The edible leaves will also grow back, so use plenty of fertilizer and keep them well-watered if you want to eat your celosia!
How Do You Make Celosia Bushy?
Pinching out stems by half to a third will encourage extra side shoots and make celosia plants bushier. This trick works with most perennials and annuals. Pinching out leaves also boosts flower production and makes plants a little shorter, so they’re not blown over by gusts of wind or snapped by heavy rain. Plus, a bushy plant always looks healthier than a leggy one!
Overwintering Celosias
Overwintering celosias in zones 10-12 is simple; just cut back dead foliage in autumn, and if it gets chilly, cover them in horticultural fleece. In cooler zones, celosia can be brought inside for the winter.
Are Celosias Poisonous?
According to the ASPCA, celosias are not poisonous or toxic to cats, dogs, or horses. The species Celosia Argentea is an edible plant and the most popular leafy green veg in Nigeria, Africa!
Plant Celosia To Attract Bees
Bees and other pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds like all species of celosia because their bright flowers are easily spotted and full of sweet nectar. If you have a vegetable garden, try planting celosia nearby to help pollinate your edibles. It’s an excellent companion plant.
Celosias Are Perennial In Zones 10-12
So that’s all about celosia, the vivid wool flower. It’s difficult to clearly answer the question is celosia perennial or annual, because it’s grown as both! Although celosia is naturally a perennial plant, it’s assumed an annual by many because it won’t survive a winter outside of zone 10.
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