Days to Maturity: 63 to 77
Bright Sparks™ Mix Celosia varieties, Plumosa Group, are annuals offering spring through fall interest, typically blooming until first frost. A superior landscape celosia, the plants have better repeat flowering, setting tiny, densely packed flowers in large feathery pyramidal plumes in warm shades of bright yellow, scarlet, and burgundy that resist fading. Borne on erect stems, the long-lasting flowers are excellent for display, fresh cut or dried. Harvest mature blooms in the morning after the dew has evaporated.
The Celosia plumosa varieties in the Bright Sparks™ Mix Celosia, also known as feather celosia, have an ultra-branched habit of spear-shaped leaves. Shown to best effect massed or grouped, the plants offer sweeps of color, great for edging in beds and borders, but they are also suitable for containers and window boxes.
Easy to grow, celosia prefer humusy, nutrient rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil. The plants are heat and drought tolerant and deer and rabbit resistant. Few pests or diseases bother celosia. They are low maintenance plants but deadheading regularly keeps celosia blooming.
Direct sow celosia seed after the last frost in spring, as soon as the soil is warm, or start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant after all threat of frost has passed. Celosias have delicate root systems that must be handled with care. Transplanting should not be delayed. Holding plugs in trays too long stunts future development and may cause premature budding.
If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.
