Cosmos (Rubenza)
Cosmos shoot up with feathery, fern-like foliage and then unfurl daisy-like flowers that sit atop slender stems. They make excellent cut flowers, and pollinators adore cosmos and their open-faced blooms. Cosmos handle heat and drought with ease, actually thriving on a bit of neglect and less-than-ideal soil. They’re also quite pest- and disease-resistant, even attracting beneficial bugs like lacewings and hoverflies that help control pests. This variety will produce deep red to blush blooms.
- This is an annual open-pollinated seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-10.
- Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
- These can vary widely in height.
- This plant attracts pollinators.
- Cut flowers.
Cosmos shoot up with feathery, fern-like foliage and then unfurl daisy-like flowers that sit atop slender stems. They make excellent cut flowers, and pollinators adore cosmos and their open-faced blooms. Cosmos handle heat and drought with ease, actually thriving on a bit of neglect and less-than-ideal soil. They’re also quite pest- and disease-resistant, even attracting beneficial bugs like lacewings and hoverflies that help control pests. This variety will produce deep red to blush blooms.
- This is an annual open-pollinated seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-10.
- Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
- These can vary widely in height.
- This plant attracts pollinators.
- Cut flowers.
Cosmos shoot up with feathery, fern-like foliage and then unfurl daisy-like flowers that sit atop slender stems. They make excellent cut flowers, and pollinators adore cosmos and their open-faced blooms. Cosmos handle heat and drought with ease, actually thriving on a bit of neglect and less-than-ideal soil. They’re also quite pest- and disease-resistant, even attracting beneficial bugs like lacewings and hoverflies that help control pests. This variety will produce deep red to blush blooms.
- This is an annual open-pollinated seed that grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-10.
- Each packet will have a little over 50 seeds.
- These can vary widely in height.
- This plant attracts pollinators.
- Cut flowers.
Growing Instructions
Cosmos flourish in warm weather and are best planted in late spring after all danger of frost has passed. They grow quickly and generously. You can direct-sow seeds into the garden in full sun, and the seeds will germinate in about 7–10 days in warm soil. Alternatively, you can start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date to get a head start. If you transplant, though, handle the seedlings carefully when since they don't like if their roots are disturbed too much. Space the plants about 9"-12" apart. Cosmos are not picky about soil and actually bloom better in average or even poor soil. Too much fertilizer (especially nitrogen) can make them grow super leafy with fewer flowers. Once established, cosmos are very drought-tolerant and generally only need watering if you have a prolonged dry spell. No deadheading is strictly required (they’ll keep blooming regardless), but removing spent flowers can make the plants look tidier.
| 👍 Good companions | Nearly any vegetable or herb that benefits from attracting pollinators and beneficial predatory insects | ||
| 👎 Bad companions | No known bad companions! | ||
| Growing zones | 2-10 | Crop type | Annual |
| Crop difficulty | Easy | Seed type | Open-Pollinated |
| Sowing method | Both | Containers? | Yes |
| Sun req. | Full Sun | Ideal soil temp. | 65-75°F |
| Days to germination | 7-10 days | Days to maturity | 75-90 days |
| Seed spacing | 9"-12" | Row spacing | 9"-12" |
| Seed depth | 1/4" | Needs support? | Maybe |