Growing Cosmos: Tips at a Glance
Cosmos is native to Mexico and a prolific bloomer with a long season. In cooler climates, grow it as a reliable summer cut flower in full sun and well-drained soil.
- Type Herbaceous flower
- Lifespan Annual
- USDA Zones All
- Light Full sun
- Water Moist soil
- When to Plant Spring to summer
- Design Tip Dependable cut flower
- Companions Dahlias, nasturtiums
- Peak Bloom Summer to frost
Cosmos: A Field Guide
Native to Mexico, cosmos is a prolific bloomer with a long season. In the US, where it’s an annual in most growing zones, many gardeners grow it as a reliable cut flower.
Cosmos bipinnatus is useful anywhere you plant it in a flower border, where it will fill late summer holes. With varieties in a range of heights and colors, including shades of white, red, pink, violet, peach, orange, and yellow, cosmos will keep producing new flowers until the first frost (so long as you deadhead it).