How to Grow and Care for Garden cosmos

Garden cosmos, also known as Annual cosmos, Cosmea, Cut-leaf cosmos, Klondike cosmos

Garden cosmos is favored by many gardeners for its low-maintenance care profile. These plants thrive in well-drained soil and require full sun for optimal growth and flower production. One special care point to note is that while garden cosmos tolerates moderate drought, regular watering during prolonged dry spells will keep it flourishing. Deadheading is not necessary but can encourage a tidier appearance and potentially more blooms.

Watering schedule: Every week

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun

In This Article

Planting and Growing Garden cosmos

Toughness	High
Care Level	Medium
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Annual
Watering Schedule	Every week
Sunlight Requirements	Full sun
Soil pH	6-7
Planting Time	Spring, Early summer
Hardiness Zones	2-11

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Varieties of Garden cosmos

Garden cosmos 'Sensation Pinkie'

Garden cosmos 'Sensation Pinkie' is one of the "Sensation" series of garden cosmos cultivars that differs from the parent plant because of its pink flowers, which are lighter than the darker purplish-red flowers of the parent. The plant has proved so popular with gardeners that it was given the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It blooms over a long period from early summer until fall.

Garden cosmos 'Dazzler'

Garden cosmos 'Dazzler' is a cultivar unique for its striking flowers and blunt-tipped petals. Its name refers to its vibrant flowers, which are carmine red with yellow centers. This plant is a variety of Cosmos bipinnatus 'Dazzler'.

Garden cosmos 'Double Click Snow Puff'

The ruffled white double flowers of this showy garden cosmos cultivar make a marked contrast to the single flowers of the parent garden cosmos plant. The appearance of the elaborate flowers inspires the cultivar's extravagant name. Garden cosmos 'Double Click Snow Puff' also attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Garden cosmos 'Cupcakes Blush'

The garden cosmos 'Cupcakes Blush' is a cultivar from the garden cosmos plant, with a unique shape that is all its own. Named for this shape, its blooms extend from outer petals that attach to each other, creating a bowl for them to sit in and giving them the appearance of a cupcake. This flower has a longer than usual blooming period as well.

Garden cosmos 'Cupcakes White'

Most garden cosmos plants produce violet flowers, but garden cosmos 'Cupcakes White' has attractive, wide-petaled, white flowers with a bright yellow center. The flowers and petals grow together into a unique bowl-like shape that looks similar to the paper that surrounds a cupcake. This unique plant is a garden favorite that thrives in a sheltered position with full sunlight.

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More General Info About Garden cosmos

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Garden cosmos is distinguished by its showy, daisy-like flowers which span a range of colors including maroon, pink, lavender, and white. Each bloom is characterized by its symmetrical formation, mirroring the Greek meaning of its name. This herbaceous plant can reach towering heights of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters), featuring an upright growth habit. Its leaves are finely divided, imbuing it with a delicate, feathery appearance that complements the bold floral display.