Cosmos, Common Cosmos, Mexican Aster 'Mixed Hybrids, Noids'

Cosmosbipinnatus

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Cosmos (KOS-mus)
Species
bipinnatus (by-pin-NAY-tus)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Textured
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Red
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Auburn, Alabama

Dothan, Alabama

Peoria, Arizona

Little Rock, Arkansas

Concord, California

Magalia, California

Merced, California

Murrieta, California

Oak View, California

San Jose, California

Stockton, California

New Haven, Connecticut

Lewes, Delaware

Seaford, Delaware

Clermont, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Lake City, Florida

Vero Beach, Florida

Braselton, Georgia

Douglasville, Georgia

Hawkinsville, Georgia

Lawrenceville, Georgia

Stone Mountain, Georgia

Kailua, Hawaii

Kaneohe Station, Hawaii

Maunawili, Hawaii

Lewiston, Idaho

Itasca, Illinois

Nilwood, Illinois

Peoria, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Columbus, Indiana

Norwalk, Iowa

Hebron, Kentucky

North Billerica, Massachusetts

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Webberville, Michigan

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Deer River, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Madison, Mississippi

Berlin, New Hampshire

Greenville, New Hampshire

Munsonville, New Hampshire

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Fletcher, North Carolina

Massillon, Ohio

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Springfield, Ohio

Ashland, Oregon

Brookhaven, Pennsylvania

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Greeneville, Tennessee

Abilene, Texas

Austin, Texas

Broaddus, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas

Lewisville, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Santa Fe, Texas

Tremonton, Utah

Danville, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Spokane, Washington

Black Earth, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

11
positives
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
D
Mason, NH (Zone 5b) | September 2012 | positive

Love their tendency to self-seed without it becoming invasive.

E
E
Atlantic City, NJ | October 2010 | positive

ive grown cosmos the past 3 summers.
i originally had them in a pack of assorted wildflowers. i didnt know what they were at firs...Read More

O
Oak View, CA | June 2007 | positive

I have grown cosmos for years....the flower is my husband's and son's birthday month flower. I also notice them all over my little town ...Read More

L
Rock Hill, SC | July 2006 | positive

This plant is unlike anything I have ever come across.It was giving to me by a neighbor in a seed pack (with other seeds).It first came u...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | May 2006 | positive

They are very pretty flowers, but need pinching back or staking early on to prevent flopping.

S
S
(Zone 7b) | May 2006 | positive

What can I say, but that I just love cosmos. C. bip regularly gets to 4-6 ft or more in my garden, though.

T
Sumner, WA (Zone 8a) | August 2005 | positive

Cosmos are very easy to grow. I sow along the fenceline each spring. In 2004, they grew very tall (most measured at 9 feet high), mostly ...Read More

P
Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) | June 2005 | positive

I believe cosmos to be a "must have" for every garden. They are a beautiful flower.... now with so many fun varieties .... and so easy t...Read More

A
A
| May 2005 | positive

Such great performance makes it a favorite in my SW garden.

L
Ogden, UT (Zone 5b) | January 2005 | positive

Cosmos are easy to grow from seed sown directly in the garden in mid to late spring. They also self-sow vigorously, and they attract ben...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | July 2002 | positive

Best grown in poor soil; rich feeding leads to very big branches with poor flowering which tend to be floppy. Deadheading prolongs flowering.

J
J
MD &, VA (Zone 7b) | November 2000 | neutral

This species of cosmos is an annual, grows 5' to 6' high. Flowers in summer and autumn in various colors of pink, red, white and purple. ...Read More

Featured
Io Moth
(Automeris io)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
Featured
Io Moth
(Automeris io)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)