Celosia Flower Care (Cockscomb)

Celosia care is simple and easy, with slight maintenance you can get prolifically blooming celosia flowers in your home and garden.

Celosia is an annual plant cultivated for its strange looking flowers that resemble roosters’ head, that’s why it is also called as cockscomb.

Also Read: How to grow celosia

Celosia Flower Care

1. Fertilization

Fertilize celosia with liquid fertilizer once a month. When the plant starts to bloom, it needs fertilizer more frequently (every two weeks). Use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen such as a ratio of 3: 1: 2.

2. Humidity

The plant grows well in containers but indoor air in homes remains too dry for flowers to flourish. Help them by running a humidifier next to the plant or by placing the pot on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and a bit of water.

Misting the foliage will also help but take care not to wet the flowers but only the leaves. Do this in the morning as celosia is prone to fungal diseases.

3. Keep it warm

As celosia is a tropical plant it loves the warm and humid climate. The species of this plant grow as perennials in US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, and as annuals elsewhere.

4. Grow in full sun

Celosias need full sun to grow well. For these plants, the more sun, the better. Houseplants benefit from a south-facing window or balcony, also, remember to not let the soil dry out in the sun.

Also Read: Plants to grow in south facing balcony

5. Do mulching

Outdoor planted celosia are benefited from a thick layer of organic mulch, which keeps them warm and also helps the soil to retain moisture. In addition, mulching helps in preventing the growth of weeds.

Many varieties can grow taller than 1 meters and needs support to prevent them from toppling over in strong winds or rainstorm.

6. Deadhead Flowers

Deadheading encourages the plant to produce more flowers and saves their energy from making seeds. Prune off spent flowers before they set seed with scissors. Before cutting make sure to sterilize the blades by cleaning with alcohol and let it dry before using.

7. Look for pests

Celosias are prone to fungal diseases, you can prevent these by avoiding overwatering.

Spider mites and aphids are the most common pest that attacks Celosias. They are particularly prevalent on houseplants. The easiest way to get rid of them is to simply wash them away with a strong stream of water. This has the advantage of removing dust from the leaves too, which can contribute to the growth of mites.

Also Read: Killing aphids organically.