Celosia Empress - Purple-Red

What Celosia Empress - Purple-Red is

Celosia Empress - Purple-Red (Celosia argentea) is an annual flower of the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). Celosia, also known as Cockscomb, is an annual plant.

It grows in the period April - October.

The colours of the foliage vary between yellow, pink, golden and orange to dark red.

Celosia (cockscomb) has bright plume-like or comb-like flower heads that keep their colour when dried.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 91%
• Pack size: 0.2 g
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: March and April; seedlings
• Flowering: June – November
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Celosia Empress - Purple-Red

Celosia Empress - Purple-Red seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower in June – November. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Celosia Empress - Purple-Red

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 0.3 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 7–14 days at 22–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sowing is done in March or early April, placing the seeds in soil containing equal parts humus and vermiculite. It is covered with film or glass, at a temperature of 23-25 °C, and ventilated from time to time. As it does not tolerate overly wet soil, it should be watered only on the hottest days. Loves direct sunlight.

Warmth-loving — plant outside only once the nights are warm. Do not let the seedlings dry out.

Flowering and uses

For drying, cut the flower heads at full bloom.

Frequently asked questions

When should Celosia Empress - Purple-Red be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 91%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.