Jessica Mix Cockscomb is a dwarf celosia that defies its 14-inch stature with truly outsized personality. These heirloom plants produce mammoth, intricately folded flower heads that can reach 16 inches across, displaying a vibrant mix of crimson, canary yellow, tangerine, magenta, and cerise. Reaching maturity in 90 days, this frost-tender annual grows reliably in zones 1-11 and thrives in full sun with moderate water, making it an unexpectedly easy addition to beds, containers, and borders.
Full Sun
Moderate
1-11
?in H x ?in W
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High
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The shock factor here is real: compact plants just over a foot tall somehow support flower heads that stretch to 16 inches across, creating dramatic textural contrast in any garden space. The color palette is rich and saturated, mixing warm yellows and oranges with cool magentas and crimsons in a single head. Short growing season and straightforward care mean you can fill a border with these botanical sculptures without fussing, and they're equally at home in containers where their architectural quality truly shines.
Jessica Mix Cockscomb is grown primarily as an ornamental flower for garden beds, container plantings, and border displays where its dramatic folded heads provide strong textural interest. The edible flowers can be used in fresh arrangements or dried for long-lasting dried flower designs.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Sprinkle seeds on the soil surface or just barely cover them, keeping the soil consistently moist and warm. Maintain soil temperature between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for germination, which typically occurs within 14 to 21 days. Provide bright, indirect light once seedlings emerge to prevent legginess.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days once they've developed their first true leaves. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 14 inches apart and water gently to settle soil around roots.
For cut flowers, harvest when the cockscomb heads are fully formed and color is deep and vibrant, typically around 90 days after planting. Cut stems in the early morning with a sharp knife, taking 6 to 8 inches of stem to use in arrangements. For dried flowers, wait until heads are completely mature and the stems have begun to firm up slightly, then hang bundles upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space.
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