Cosmos Seeds,
Candyfloss Pink Sunrise

Plant cosmos after the last frost, when soil temperatures consistently reach at least 60 F. Since it is highly sensitive to frost, check your local area’s last frost date before planting. Cosmos begins to bloom 75-90 days after sowing and will continue flowering until the first frost in fall. If you are not sure how to find your local frost dates, check out our blog post ‘Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.’

Cosmos seeds are best directly sown outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost and transplant them once temperatures are consistently warm. Sow seeds 1/8-1/4 inch deep in well-draining soil. Do not bury them too deeply, as cosmos seeds require light to germinate. Space plants about 10 inches apart give them enough room to grow.

Once established, Candyfloss Pink Sunrise cosmos is drought tolerant and should be watered only when the soil is completely dry. Overwatering can result in weak, floppy stems. Avoid excessive fertilization, as too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth but reduce flowering. If needed, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer once a month.

• Cosmos are insect pollinated, and there may be some crossing between varieties in the garden. You can enjoy the mixing or use caging techniques and hand pollination to avoid crossing.
• Saving seeds from cosmos is easy: simply allow the heads to brown and dry on plants and collect seeds. Store in a cool, dry, dark place over winter.