Depending on the variety, cosmos is an annual or perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, or Compositae. Translated from Latin, "cosmos" means "cosmos." Some of the most common species include Snowdrop, Ladybird, Psyche, and Orange. This herbaceous plant is easy to grow indoors.
Description and characteristics of the plant
The double cosmos flower is also known as the cosmic beauty. This unpretentious bush sometimes reaches up to 1.5 meters in height and has delicate, double petals. The flowers come in a wide variety of colors, from white to red.
What distinguishes the double cosmos from its wild relative is the fact that the ray florets in the inflorescences are arranged in three or more rows. This growth pattern results in a smaller, dahlia-like flower. The flowers weigh down the branches, giving the bush a fuller appearance.
Rose Bonbon and Rose Valley are the most elegant Cosmos varieties. The plant prefers sunny locations, tolerates frosts well, and doesn't require abundant moisture.
Varieties of terry cosmos
There are over 20 species of this plant. The table describes the characteristics of some varieties of terry cosmos:
| Variety | Height, cm | Description |
| Annuals | ||
| Snow click | More than 70. | The most common variety of terry cosmos. Its snow-white coloration makes the bushes resemble the blooms of a lush dahlia. It is used for ornamental purposes and propagates by self-seeding. Mid-June – September. |
| Psyche | Up to 80. |
The inflorescences are shaped like a basket and are white and red in color. It prefers windless, sunny locations. It grows in loose, well-drained soil without stagnant water. July – November. |
| Pink lollipop | From 40 to 85. | A heat-loving plant, drought-resistant. The flowers are pink in color. The petals grow in two rows; after drying, they fall off, leaving a seed capsule. June - September. |
| Seashell | From 50 to 100. |
It grows in loose soil and loves full sun. Its coloring is lilac-pink, and its petals are curled into a tube. The plant has a rich floral scent that attracts bees. June - August. |
| Cranberry Click | From 80 to 150. | The range of shades ranges from scarlet to deep burgundy. It requires little care, prefers warmth and plenty of light, and produces lush blooms. June - September. |
| Orange | Up to 100. |
A cold-hardy cosmos variety. It has the most unusual and vibrant orange-hued flowers. It reproduces by self-seeding. July - October. |
| Rainbow shimmers | From 80 to 120. | The plant comes in a wide range of shades, from white to burgundy. It is frost-hardy and thrives in areas with abundant sunlight. June - September. |
| Ladybug | Up to 30. |
A relatively low-growing bush compared to other species. Petals are yellow, orange, and red. June - September. |
| Perennial | ||
| Chocolate or blood red | From 40 to 150. |
One of the unknown cosmos varieties, it's the most heat-loving—it doesn't tolerate temperatures below 5°C. It prefers loose soil. Flowers are red or dark burgundy. June - August. |
Growing and planting terry cosmos in open ground
There are two seasons for sowing terry cosmos:
- Spring. Once the snow has melted and the soil is ready for new plantings, you can safely plant the seedlings. To ensure the future plants take root, it's a good idea to dig the soil before sowing, providing it with oxygen, and then begin the process. The next, and very important, step is actually sowing the seeds in open ground—spread them out on the surface every 30-40 cm, pressing them into the soil. Covering them with soil is not recommended, as this could kill the plant.
- Autumn. This sowing season is characterized by cool temperatures, and since terry cosmos is cold-hardy, this period is ideal for planting. A key aspect of planting in the fall is strict adherence to the timing—no later than November—otherwise the seeds will be killed by sudden frosts. The sowing process during this season is similar to the spring planting technique.
Sowing cosmos seedlings
Growing the plant from seedlings is used in two situations: a cold climate zone, where the process of growing terry cosmos from seeds becomes quite difficult, and also when the gardener wants to create a geometrically correct growth orientation for the flowers.
To achieve the desired result, you need to:
- At the beginning of April, place a couple of seeds in a small pot with pre-prepared soil.
- Periodically moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
- Cover the pot with a thin layer of cling film and place it in a well-lit place.
- Monitor the room temperature – not below +19 °C.
- After 1-2 weeks, the first shoots appear, after which the film needs to be removed.
- Water the soil with small amounts of water from time to time.
- As soon as the seedlings reach 9-10 cm, carefully transplant each one into a separate container.
Care instructions for terry cosmos in open ground
Cosmos terry is a plant that doesn't require much attention or care, but it's still worth knowing how to grow it properly to avoid causing harm.
It is worth following the following recommendations to create favorable conditions for cosmea:
- Plant crops in loose soil.
- Fertilize with a complex fertilizer containing several nutritional components.
- Remove weeds from the area before flowering begins.
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It is strictly prohibited:
- Water the soil more than once a week, otherwise the plant’s root system will suffer.
- Grow cosmos in places with insufficient light.
Top.tomathouse.com informs: pests and diseases of terry cosmos
Double-flowered cosmos is a plant that is rarely susceptible to viral and fungal diseases, and it also doesn't attract any pests. The table below provides information on the rare diseases and pests that can harm the plant.
| Disease/pest | Manifestations | Elimination measures |
| Tracheomycosis, fusarium | Yellowing and drying of leaves, resulting in their complete fall off. | Timely removal of damaged parts, treatment with fungicides. |
| Slugs, snails | Damage to leaves and petals. | Collection of pests by hand, spraying with chemicals. |
