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Celosia is a variety of tropical friendly amaranth that we grow in our gardens for production of its showy edible variegated leaves and its beautiful cut flower. Amaranth is commonly grown throughout the world for its edible grain, however many Caribbean natives use the leaves cooked in traditional dishes like the stewed green "callaloo". Use the tender leaves of the Celosia plant for cooking and then let it flower and enjoy its beautiful fuscia and pink blossoms either cut fresh in a vase or dried. Because the celosia flower is already quite dry by nature it lasts a long time on the plant, even longer in the vase, and dries with its vivid color intact.  

Celosia is considered summer and tropics friendly because it is a tender perennial in areas with no freeze (zones 10-12), but it can also be grown successfully as an annual in all other zones in the continential US. Allow the plant to reach its peak size and it creates a large shrub with hundreds of pointed blossoms on the plant at a time. If grown as an annual it may not reach such sizes but will still yield a good amount of beautiful cut flowers and edible leaves. 

Planting and growing tips: celosia seed is very small and barely needs to be planted, just press the seeds into the surface of premoistened potting or germination mix and cover with a light dusting of mix to keep moist. Germination should occur in 5 days. Be careful not to add too many of the tiny seeds to one pot or tray cell. Plants can be thinned to 2 or 3 after 14 days of growth. This is a large type of celosia growing into an annual shrub of up to 4 feet in diameter if given the proper space and nutrition. Regular pruning of flowers for cut flower use will encourage bushy growth habits. Allow a few of your blossoms to dry on the plant, store them in a brown paper bag, give them a good shake and you should have plenty of saved seed for next season. Celosia does best in full sun. 

All seeds were harvested from our urban farm and plant nursery in 2022. Seed packages are hand silkscreened by Gold Teeth Brooklyn, a handmade stationery company based in Los Angeles. 

Seeds have been tested for reliable germination in our nursery at 80 degree daytime temperatures. We recommend using them within 1 year of date of purchase.