Cosmos Plant: Facts, Benefits, and Maintenance Tips

Flowers have been a fundamental component of various practices across global cultures. Their significance can be observed in interpersonal relationships, communal, religious and, more recently, in professional environments. The aesthetic value of flowers is also not lost in modern society. 

Therefore, many people search for the perfect flowers that can elevate the look of any living/garden space. If you, too, are wondering where to start as a beginner home gardener, and which type of beautiful flowers require the least maintenance from you, the cosmos plant (scientific name: Cosmos bipinnatus) may be the perfect pick for you. 

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What is Cosmos plant?

The Cosmos bipinnatus is a perennial type of plant and can reach a height of 2 to 4 feet, depending on the plant variant and maturity. The stem of the plant is not very hard and is covered in medium-green leaves that spread out in a thread-like pattern. 

The colour of the flowers also depends on the variant of the plant, ranging from pink, white, red, and purple to bicoloured flowers. The flowers are saucer-shaped with daisy-like petals originating from a sunflower-like centre.

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What is another name for a Cosmos plant?

Cosmos bipinnatus is also known as garden cosmos or Mexican aster

Cosmos plant: Key facts

see also: all about Sunflower Plant

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See also: All about Winter Flowers

Cosmos plant: Different types

The cosmos plant is great for landscaping. Moreover, with all the variants available, the scope of choices to pick from becomes vast. Here are some of the most common types of Cosmos bipinnatus plants you can find – 

Cosmos Dazzler: In this variant, the flowers are the most identifiable difference as they have stunning deep pink flowers and a yellow centre. They are fairly tall-growing plants and can grow up to 1.3 m tall. They are the perfect pick for you if you wish to add some height to your garden borders.

Cosmos Bipinnatus Gazebo Red: The flowers of Cosmos Bipinnatus Gazebo Red are large flowers that have a velvety texture and are a deep red. Since Cosmos Bipinnatus Gazebo Red is a dwarf variety of Cosmos plants, it is best suited for cutting the flowers and using them as decor in vases.

Cosmos Bipinnatus Fizzy Pink: In this variant, eye-catching, semi-double flowers that are white to carmine-pink in colour bloom in the blooming months. Since it is a tall variety of the Cosmos plant, reaching up to a height of 100 cm, it is frequently used in pots and gardens. The flowers by themselves have a high ornamental value.

Cosmos Daydream: As the name suggests, these are dreamy pink and white blooms .

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Cosmos plant: Planting tips 

It is important to plant the cosmos plant in spring or just after the winter season so that it can last at least two blooming periods. While planting straight into the garden ground, dig a hole in the soil at least thrice as wide as the root ball of the plant to give it ample space to grow and space the plants adequately to avoid diseases in the future. 

If you are planting the cosmos plant in a pot, make sure it gets complete sun throughout the day, and the soil itself remains well drained. The watering requirements of the plant can vary from season to season and from location to location, but it is generally not necessary. 

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See also about: How to grow and care for Violet flowers?

Cosmos plant: Maintenance tips 

Although the cosmos plant is pretty low-maintenance, occasional fertilising with organic fertilisers and a spray of pesticides can go a long way in improving the overall health of the plant. You can also use simple NPK fertilisers to make sure the flowers of the plant are healthy and vibrant, and the plant itself has grown to an average size. 

Constant pruning is not required for cosmos plants, but it is generally advised to pull out any weed growth around the centre of the plant. Since cosmos plants are self-seeding, if not potted in a separate plant pot, they may be able to spread in the soil for the next season. 

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Cosmos plant: Benefits 

Cosmos plants have been found to have medicinal benefits and can treat jaundice, fever and other such conditions. The plant’s anti-oxidant properties may not be medically recognised, but they have found their way into treating certain illnesses. 

However, today, the cosmos plant is not more than an aesthetically pleasing plant that can elevate the look of any living space; it is great for making small flowering hedges and can also act as dividers along garden beds. 

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Cosmos plant: Is it toxic?

The cosmos plant is not toxic at all and is completely safe to keep indoors. It is a great vibrant addition to any living space that feels organic.

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