Cosmos Sulphur Dwarf Orange Flower 125 Seeds
This dwarf Cosmos variety features bright orange flowers. It's an excellent choice for annual wildflower lovers, especially those who enjoy butterflies and cut flowers. Super easy to grow, making it perfect for novice gardeners.
Thanks to their Mexican roots, these vibrant annuals thrive in high heat and drought, showcasing their native beauty and strength. Spanish conquistadors stumbled upon these blooms while searching for gold during their travels in Mexico. Mission gardens often had these flowers, which priests named "cosmos," a Greek term meaning a harmonious whole, due to their evenly spaced petals. Cosmos flowers made their debut in England with Spanish ambassadors in the late 18th century, and they arrived in the United States in the next century.
Latin Name: Cosmos sulphureus
Species Origin: Mexico
Type: Garden Flowers
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
US Regions: California, Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast
Seeds per Ounce: 4,000
Stratification: No Stratification
Germination Ease: No Stratification
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height: 24 Inches
Color: Orange
Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer, Blooms Late Summer, Blooms Early Fall
Uses: Cut Flowers
Sowing: In early spring or after the last frost, sprinkle the Dwarf Orange Sulphur Cosmos Seeds on top of loose soil. Keep the soil slightly moist until they germinate, which should happen within 10-20 days at temperatures between 65-75 degrees F. If the soil is cooler, germination may take longer. You don’t need to thin the seedlings, but you can transplant them if they seem too crowded. Since these dwarf orange sulphur cosmos seeds sprout quickly in warm soil, you can plant them anytime before midsummer for another round of flowers.
To start seeds indoors, sow them on the surface of a flat 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost; keep the soil consistently moist and at a temperature of 70-75 degrees F until they germinate. Once there’s no risk of frost, you can move them outside.
Growing: Once the seedlings show up, only water them during very dry spells. This flower doesn’t like to be over-watered and does well in hot, dry conditions; if there’s a long drought, give the plants a deep watering. If the blooming starts to slow down, trim the plant back to 12" for new growth; you’ll see more flowers in about 4 weeks. If you let it self-seed, this flower will produce a new batch of blooms next year. It also attracts birds, butterflies, and bees.
Harvesting: Cosmos flowers make beautiful, long-lasting cut flowers. Cut long stems of blossoms that have just opened, and take off any leaves that will be submerged in water. These flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase. Cosmos blossoms also look great as dried flowers.
Seed Saving: Let the flowers drop their petals and form spiky seed heads. When they’re ripe, the heads will turn brown or dark brown and can be easily broken apart to reveal the narrow, sharp seeds. Take the ripe seed heads and lay them out to dry away from direct sunlight. Once they’re completely dry, break apart the heads to separate the seeds from the husk. Store the cleaned dwarf orange sulphur cosmos seeds in a cool, dry spot.
