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Flamingo Celosia is a variety of tropical friendly amaranth that we grow in our gardens for production of its showy, edible, variegated leaves and beautiful flower spikes. The celosia flower is already quite dry in nature, lasting a long time on the plant and even longer in a vase. You can also cut the flowers and hang them upside down to use as a dry flower for arrangements.  

Amaranth is commonly grown throughout the world for its edible grain, and many Caribbean & African countries use the leaves as cooked greens in traditional dishes like the stewed green ‘callaloo’. In the permaculture community, we have also heard this variety referred to as ‘Lagos Spinach’, when grown for its edible leaf crop. Amaranth leaves contain more protein than spinach and high amounts of Vitamin A, Folate, Magnesium & Vitamin K. 

Flamingo celosia is a much larger plant than many of the other colorful ornamental celosia varieties grown by flower farms, so make sure to give it lots of space. With a long hot growing season the plant will reach its peak size of about 6 feet tall and it creates a large shrub with hundreds of pointed blossoms. If harvested and pruned heavily it can stay smaller so its up to you how big and competitive this plant will be in your garden. For some reason, Celosia seeds are quite pricey online, but the plant makes tons of them and they are easy to gather and save. Once the flowers start to fade in color at the base and the flowers pop open you can simply cut and shake the flower spike into a bag and save for next season. 

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.