Grow Crazy Cosmos Mixture from fresh Cosmos bipinnatus / sulphureus flower seeds. Crazy Cosmos is a colorful mixture consisting of all sorts of colored cosmos flowers including pink, purple, white, yellow, orange and red. There are even a few Cosmos flowers that will be multicolored, or “bi-colored” such as the candy stripe variety. The plants, once established will raise to a varying height of about 18 to 60 inches tall. The plants themselves consist of one large stem that shoots straight up, displaying several smaller stems with branches of slender leaves. The flowers are roughly 2 inches in diameter and are at the very tops of the plants.
Cosmos flowers are grown as an annual flowering plant. Annuals such as the Cosmos flower will grow quickly from fresh annual flower seeds, blooming profusely through the summer months, up until the first frost. Cosmos flower seeds can be collected for resowing the following year and can also drop to the bare ground beneath through a natural process. The seeds can be long or short and are slender like a Marigold seed. They are anywhere from 1/4” to 1” inch in length and are very easily distributed into the garden.
Cosmos flowers are an excellent choice for borders, flower beds and in a natural setting. They can be combined with other varieties of wildflowers that grow to roughly the same height. Cosmos flowers are also best sown in masses as they tend to create bush like foliage.
Quick Facts
- Type: Cosmos Flower
- Season: Annual
- Color: Mixture
- Height: 24″ – 60″ Tall
- Width: 6″ – 12″ spread
- Environment: Full Sun
- Zone: 1 – 10
- Notes: Easy to grow. Attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects. Best sown by the masses. Makes an excellent backdrop plant due to its height and growth habit.
Sowing The Seed
Cosmos are best established directly outdoors. Begin by clearing your entire sowing area of all weeds and other unwanted plant life. Turn the soil, or throw down new soil in it’s place. Scatter the slivers of seed, directly to the surface of the soil, covering thinly with roughly 1/16” of topsoil. (Check “Germination and Growth” for spacing & growth habits)
Growing Conditions
Cosmos will enjoy an area that receives full sunlight for the majority of the day. Temperatures should be kept at 65F or higher, for optimal growth. Cosmos plants aren’t too picky on soil conditions, however they do require an area that is well drained. Mixing a light compost to any hard, compact soil will increase your drainage. Water daily until germination has occurred, but avoid overwatering and soaking the soil.
Germination & Growth
Cosmos flower seeds will begin to sprout within 7 to 10 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of about 18 to 60 inches tall and can be spaced roughly 12 to 18 inches apart from one another. Crazy Mixture is a blend of all of the Cosmos flowers that we sell. Attracts an array of beneficial insects such as butterflies, hummingbirds, ladybugs and bumblebees.