How to Grow Celosia in a Cold Climate, Short Growing Season

In flower-growing groups, I often hear that the celosia is so easy to grow–that it just self-seeds and grows like a weed. These gardeners are clearly from warmer climates, where that is, in fact, true.

Unfortunately, for us northern gardeners, celosia is a struggle.

I’ve grown celosia for many years, and rarely do I ever get a decent stem length or anything more than boutonniere-sized plants. While I haven’t gotten the kind of celosia that southern gardeners talk about, I feel I’ve had respectable enough celosia crops that I can offer a few tips and tricks for getting the best results in conditions that celosia doesn’t like.

A vibrant celosia flower with a unique, crested bloom sits amidst green leaves in a garden bed. The flower's colors transition from deep pink at the tip to a lighter hue towards the base, underlined by rich, dark soil and more plants in the blurred background.

CELOSIA LIKeS HEATS (AND LOTS OF IT!)

In cold climates and short growing seasons, we typically don’t get hot enough summers for celosia’s liking. To combat things, I grow my celosia underneath our high tunnel. While it still doesn’t grow to epic proportions, it at least gives me some half-decent stem length to work with.

If you don’t have a high tunnel, try growing your celosia in the highest climate you have or in pots in the microclimate on your deck. Just make sure you water your celosia plants frequently if you decide to go the container garden route!

A young, vibrant reddish-pink celosia plant stands out against a backdrop of green foliage and soil. The plant features a cluster of fluffy, brightly colored plumes at the top, with reddish leaves extending along the stem.

SOME VARIETIES ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS

There are two main types of celosia: brain and plume. I’ve not noticed a significant difference between growing one or the other, so grow whatever you think looks nice.

My most successful celosia variety has actually been the Floret Originals. Readers have also suggested the Celway Terracotta varieties and growing Cockscomb. I have not personally tried Antonio Valentes’ celosia varieties, but I plan to try them this next growing season if he offers them again. Even though he’s from Ontario, I hope they will fare better in my garden because he’s from a more northern climate than other seed sources.

Assorted red and pink flowers and buds with green stems are laid out on a light surface. The flowers vary in shape and size, and some stems have multiple flower heads, creating a visually appealing arrangement. — Floret Originals from my 2024 cutting garden

how to save seeds

If you do have a celosia variety that works really well for you, you’ll definitely want to save those seeds! To save celosia seeds, wait until little black bubbles start to form in the flowers. If they don’t fall out easily, you can easily massage them out.

If you are saving seeds from Floret Originals, know that not everything will come back true because the seed line is so new!

Want to learn more about saving seeds from cut flowers? Keep your eyes peeled for my new book, The Cut Flower Seed Saving Companion, coming soon!

cold climate celosia tips

Here are some rapid fire tips for growing celosia in a cold climate:

You should start celosia at least 8 weeks before your last frost date, but you can start it as early as 12.
It is very easy to start celosia seeds in the spring, but it is really difficult to transplant out and harden off. Make sure you start at least double the amount of celosia you actually want to plant because, typically, you’ll lose about half of what you set out!
If you have the space, wait until June to plant out your celosia.
Since celosia doesn’t get too large, I space mine between 4-6 inches.

Close-up of several red and yellow celosia flowers growing in a garden bed. The flowers have pointed, flame-like formations and are surrounded by lush green leaves. The soil is visible beneath the plants, with a garden hose running through the area.

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