Cock's comb is a genus of edible and ornamental herbaceous annuals and perennials in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) native to Africa, North and South America. The name comes from the Greek word kḗleos meaning burning and refers to the flame-like flowers. Celosia tolerates most soils except heavy clay and does not like wet feet. They do best grown in full sun and well-drained soils. They often will readily reseed so deadhead if this is not desirable. Seeds can be started indoors and planted after the last frost. There are three main types: plumed, wheat and cockscomb. The flowers range in shape as plumes to crested and colors and can be yellow, white, orange, pink and red. The leaves, stems and flower buds of some are edible and the wheat types have seed heads considered a pseudo-cereal. Young leaves have a spinach-like flavor but become bitter with age. Garden varieties are showy long-blooming annuals that add a splash of color when planted en masse or as an accent in the garden and also do well in pots. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Cleosias are resistant to most diseases and pests but mites, leaf spots, and stem rot can occur. The biggest problem stems from too wet soils and cold weather. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Usually green with the mid-rib matching the color of the flower. Some have showy burgundy or gold leaves. Simple, alternate, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate-ovate.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Edible; Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Cyme; Spike
Flower detail
Flowers vary in size, shape and color. They are classified as plumed or crested types.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Smooth, glossy, shiny capsule contain 1 to 5 seeds.
Stem detail
Stem color often matches the color of the flower
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Africa, North America, South America
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Stems
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Young leaves can be eaten and have a spinach-like flavor. Young stems and flowers can be used in stews.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Pool/Hardscape; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cutting Garden; Edible Garden; English Garden; Pollinator Garden