How to Sow
START indoors in a warm, well-lighted area 4-5 weeks before planting outdoors. Sow into individual containers filled with seed-starting formula. Barely press in; keep evenly moist.
How to Grow
Seedlings emerge in 8-10 days. Before transplanting, move to a sheltered area outside for a week. Don’t move plants into the garden until well past the last spring frost date; temperatures below 60°F (or nighttime temperatures below 50°F) will retard growth. Celosia is easy to grow in moist, well-drained, fertile soil and prefers full sun. Tall cultivars may need staking.
Harvesting
Celosia grows well with other annuals and perennials in sunny beds and borders. Also consider them for planting over bulbs or cool-weather annuals that finish blooming as soon as warm summer weather arrives. Low-growing varieties can be used as edgings or in containers. Tall varieties make fine cut and superb dried flowers. Pick them just as the blooms open fully. To dry, strip off the leaves and hang them in small bunches in a warm, dry place.
