wild cosmos
cosmos caudatus

days to maturity: 50
plant spacing: 2 plants per square foot
sunlight requirements: 8-14 hours
look out for: spider mites, thrips
harvest notes: harvest flowers and leaves as needed
annual

Wild cosmos are a "new to us" plant that we only managed to add to our inventory late last year because the amazing Tien aka "Delectable Day" on instagram finally started selling saved seed from her plants. Domesticated cosmos dont really love our climate and while they will reluctantly grow during the winter their yield can be disappointing, and according to Tien this wild and more weedy version doesn't mind our heat at all. The plant is used as a salad leaf crop in Latin America, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia and its leaf taste is very hard to describe beyond calling it "herby". If grown in partial shade the leaves will remain softer and more tender but you'll get less flowers. Also, adorable side note... this plant folds its leaves up at night and goes to bed, which is pretty adorable!