Cosmos ‘Xsenia’
Cosmos bipinnatus
Description
These early-to-flower gems are a new favorite on the farm. Shades of magenta, purple, and raspberry have an iridescent quality and age to an apricot cast. Blooms on ‘Xsenia’ are more petite than other cosmos varieties, and medium-size, healthy plants carry flowers on strong, upright stems. So many colors give the flowers a chameleon-like quality, and they mix well with a wide range of shades.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Height: 24 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Cosmos can also be direct-seeded once the weather has warmed.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when buds are just cracking, but haven’t fully opened. For double varieties, let open halfway before picking. Expect a vase life of 5 to 6 days.
Details
Description
These early-to-flower gems are a new favorite on the farm. Shades of magenta, purple, and raspberry have an iridescent quality and age to an apricot cast. Blooms on ‘Xsenia’ are more petite than other cosmos varieties, and medium-size, healthy plants carry flowers on strong, upright stems. So many colors give the flowers a chameleon-like quality, and they mix well with a wide range of shades.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Height: 24 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 4 to 6 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Cosmos can also be direct-seeded once the weather has warmed.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest when buds are just cracking, but haven’t fully opened. For double varieties, let open halfway before picking. Expect a vase life of 5 to 6 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Seed-Saving Mini Course
Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia
In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.
