Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos bipinnatus Cosmos sulphureus

What is the plant

Mexican Aster is an extremely popular ornamental plant. If you're looking for something to work well in your pastel palette, this is your go-to flower!

Cosmos bipinnatus is a herbaceous species native to Mexico and tropical America, which belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae. "Cosmos" is derived from a Greek word that means harmony.

This flower grows 2'4 feet (70 cm) tall on the erect stem and has green leaves that cut into deep threadlike segments and saucer-shaped flowers, its main identification feature. These plants are cultivated in wide varieties of pink, yellow as well as white, and the branched stem is often thick to sporadically covered in fine trichrome.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

20°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

2a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Water
The plant requires regular watering during the growing season. During spring, make sure to water the plant once a week. Do not overwater the Cosmos plant because over-watering leads to the plant with fewer flowers.
Sunlight
Mexican Aster grows well in full sun sites. They will grow in partially shady areas, but they will have fewer blooms there.
Fertilizer
Mexican Aster doesn't require fertilizer. However, if they grow in pots, they require a small amount of fertilizer once a month.

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Soil
The best one is light or neutral soil which has low to average fertility, and they prefer arid and sandy soil, which does not retain water well. Sandy soil is the best because soil rich in organic matter will cause spotty germination.
Pruning
The best thing that prolongs the growing season is deadheading. Shear the plant about one-third when the flower becomes faded, and it produces a flush of new flowers.
Propagation
These flowers are self-seed plants, but they can either propagate by sowing seeds or another way through stem cutting.

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Temperature
The ideal range for Cosmos bipinnatus is around 59-77°F (15-25°C).
Container
These flowers are best suited for growing in containers. The only condition for growing plants in a pot is that the pot should be 12.5 inches (30 cm) and have many drainage holes at the bottom. Heavy pots are highly preferred because they prevent the plant from toppling.
Fun fact
The plant can sometimes be referred to as Garden Cosmos and Cut-Leaf Cosmos.
Additional
Choose a wind-protected site for tall, golden Cosmos plants varieties. Their mature, hollow stems are susceptible to breakage in heavy winds.
Popularity
2,138 people already have this plant 1,019 people have added this plant to their wishlists