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Its very eye-catching, cup-shaped inflorescences give the cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) its name. But how do they actually get through the winter? How hardy is Cosmea?
In a nutshell
- typical summer flower
- loves warmth and sun
- all kinds not hardy
- very temperature sensitive
- Hibernation not possible
Wild plant from warm climates
Cosmos bipinnatus originally comes from an area that includes parts of the USA with Arizona. However, it can also be found in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica. What all these areas have in common is that temperatures are permanently warm to very hot. In the meantime, however, cosmea has spread all over the world. It is even considered a very invasive plant that can grow wild under favorable conditions. Typical for the jewelry basket are:
- Growth height up to two meters
- Diameter of the inflorescences usually five to seven centimeters
- Flowers are pink to violet or white in color
- newer breeds also have yellowish and bicolored flowers
- Plants absolutely need heat to thrive
- is mainly used as an ornamental flower
- altogether a herbaceous plant
Cosmos not hardy
The cosmos is considered a plant that is extremely temperature sensitive. It can react very sensitively to temperatures of plus 15 degrees Celsius and stop growing.
It is advisable to prefer the jewelry basket.
Tip: Only plant Cosmos bipinnatus outdoors when there is no longer any danger of frost.
Due to its temperature sensitivity, it almost goes without saying that Cosmea needs a very sunny, warm and wind-protected location. Unfortunately, it is also not possible to overwinter the plant outdoors. It is an annual plant that needs to be resown every year.
frequently asked Questions
How do you get the seeds of the jewelry basket?The best way to get Cosmea seeds is to wait for the flowers to fade. The withered and dried leaves will then fall off. A few seeds remain in the core, which have an elongated shape. These can be easily removed individually or in groups by hand. They should then be stored in a dry place and ideally stored in a paper bag.
Is it possible to prefer cosmea in the apartment?This is of course possible and also recommended. Sowing in the sheltered and warm apartment should take place in small planters from around mid-March. Conventional soil is perfectly adequate for this. The aim is to get strong young plants that can then be planted in the garden from around mid-May.
What should the location and soil in the garden be like?Since the cosmos plant is not hardy, it can be assumed that it needs a lot of warmth in order to be able to grow and thrive. A location that is as sunny as possible is therefore a must. The location should also be relatively well protected from the wind. Cosmea bipinnatus fills best in largely unfertilized soil. Fertilized or nutrient-rich soil can even be a hindrance to the development of their full bloom. The cosmos has only very low demands in terms of fertilization and nutrients.
How does Cosmea have to be watered?After planting the young plants outdoors, it is best to water them regularly and very generously for a few weeks. After this initial phase, it is advisable to only water the plant when the soil in the root area has already dried well.