Cosmos plants are annuals that are native to Mexico and Central America. They have an upright growth habit and daisy-like flowers that come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow, orange, and red. Cosmos are easy to grow and require little maintenance, making them a popular choice for gardeners. They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil and will bloom from summer to fall. Deadheading the spent blooms will encourage more flowers to form.
Planning Your Garden With Cosmos
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Cosmos is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Cosmos are hardy IN USDA Zones 2-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Cosmos is generally considered to be frost-tolerant, though some varieties may be more cold-hardy than others. In general, cosmos can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest cosmos is 60-70 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown cosmos plant is between 2 and 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | The best spacing for growing cosmos varies depending on the variety, but generally, cosmos should be planted about 8-12 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Cosmos is a sun-loving flower and can tolerate full sun. It prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Shade tolerance | Cosmos is considered to be a sun-loving plant, but it can tolerate some light shade. It is best planted in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. |
| Water requirements | Cosmos plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and require regular watering to keep the soil moist. During the summer, they should be watered about once a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions. During the winter, water them less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing cosmos depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet of garden area. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing cosmos is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Cosmos are Popular
People like to grow cosmos because they are easy to grow, require little maintenance, and produce beautiful, vibrant flowers. Cosmos come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them a popular choice for gardeners. They are also known to attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, making them a great addition to any garden.
Companion Plants For Cosmos
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for cosmos include:
Common Pests For Cosmos
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow cosmos, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- leafhoppers
- thrips
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
