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.
Celosia is very easy to grow. But I always (every year) buy some plants because they are very cheap and beautiful.
What is the “secret” to growing LARGE flowers of celosia cockscomb?
8 years ago I bought a few miniature plants at walmart. every year I have seeded the ones I have regrown. My “miniature plant seeds”gtow knee high and have huge blooms. We put them in the city beds in town and my front yard is filled with them. I have people all summer long wanting to know what they are, how in the world they are so big and beautiful and wanting to buy starts. There is no secret, I just water and weed constantly. And I save my seeds every year. I started out with 4 tiny plants, now I easily fill 4 big totes with flower heads full of seeds every fall.
I got new one (small from local shop).. I think I overwatered it, and since then i am unable to help it recover.
The flower and the leaves are wilting — I replanted it in new earth to get rid of the drained earth but it is not recovering.. what can I do ??
Help! My celosia is over taking EVERYTHING! It may be an annual, but in my area of NC it comes back more prolific every year and now it is everywhere! I never harvest the seeds, rarely water it, never fertilize or weed. The plants grow to between knee and shoulder high with various colors and shapes to their blooms.
I’d like to know how to get rid of it. Permanently.
Thanks for any help you can give.