Scarlet Plume Red Celosia

Scarlet Plume Celosia is a stunning ornamental plant featuring vibrant red plume-like blooms with feathery flower spikes and velvety wine-red foliage. This beautiful heat-loving 20"-30" tall plant represents flames, radiating warmth and intensity and adding a touch of dramatic elegance to any garden or floral arrangement. Celosia can grow in most soil conditions and has excellent drought tolerance. Excellent as a bedding or border plant, commanding attention and adding a unique texture to your landscape.

Also Known As: Red Celosia, New Look Celosia, Forest Fire Celosia, Wine Red Celosia, Cockscomb, Cock's Comb, Silver Cock's Comb, Woolflower, Wool Flower, Plume Celosia, Feathered Amaranth, Prince of Wales Feathers, Mfungu.

Plant Name:	Celosia, Scarlet Plume
Latin Name:	Celosia argentea var. plumosa
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Bloom:	90
Plant Height:	2 - 3 Feet
Spread:	12 -18 Inches
Bloom Diameter:	1 - 2 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-11
Lifespan:	Annual, Perennial Zones 10-12
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Celosia grows best in warm climates (70F-85F).

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 70F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, sow Celosia in late Spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental heat and grow lights.

To plant, make holes 1/8 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can separated and spaced 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding. Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/8 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	6-12 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Once established, Plains Coreopsis are hardy, drought-tolerant plants require minimal maintenance. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells. Fertilization is usually not needed. Deadhead spent flowers by trimming them back to the next flower bud or leaf node. This redirects the plant’s energy into producing more flowers instead of seeds.