Add bold energy to your garden with Century Series Red. This variety features vibrant crimson plumes that thrive in sunny locations, making it a standout performer in both garden beds and cutting gardens. Its tall, feathery blooms add a striking statement to any garden design.
Celosia Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow Celosia seeds outdoors in late spring, after the last frost date, when soil temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Celosia thrives in warm weather and is frost-sensitive.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Celosia grows well in sandy, loamy, or rocky soils and tolerates low-nutrient conditions.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches and incorporate compost to improve fertility. Celosia prefers soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds on the soil surface and press them lightly to ensure good contact. Do not cover with soil, as Celosia seeds need light to germinate.
- Space seeds or thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart, depending on the variety.
- Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, which typically takes 10-15 days. Once established, Celosia is drought-tolerant but benefits from consistent moisture during dry periods.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start Celosia seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date.
- Containers: Use seed trays or small pots with good drainage, filled with a light, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds on the soil surface and press gently to ensure contact. Do not bury seeds deeply.
- Mist the soil gently to keep it evenly moist without waterlogging.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 10-15 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors when soil temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and plants have at least 2-3 sets of true leaves. Space plants 6-12 inches apart, depending on the variety.
General Care Tips for Celosia
- Sunlight: Provide full sun for best growth. Celosia requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Watering: Water consistently during the growing season, especially in hot or dry conditions. Avoid overwatering, as Celosia prefers well-drained soil.
- Fertilizing: Enrich the soil with compost before planting. Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season to encourage vigorous growth and abundant blooms.
- Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Trim back leggy plants to maintain a compact, bushy shape.
- Pest and Disease Control: Celosia is relatively pest- and disease-resistant. Proper spacing ensures good airflow, reducing the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
- Harvesting:
- For Flowers: Harvest blooms when they are fully open for fresh arrangements or when heads are dry for dried arrangements. Cut stems just above a leaf node to encourage further blooming.
- Storage: Store fresh flowers in a vase with water for up to a week. For dried flowers, hang stems upside down in a cool, well-ventilated area to preserve their color and texture.
