Celosia ‘Xantippe’

Celosia argentea spicata

Features

  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Foliage & Filler
  • Heat-loving
  • Medium producer

Description

These easy-to-grow, heat-loving plants produce an abundance of long, thin, stems adorned with fuzzy, clover-like blooms. Textural, spike-shaped flowers are blush-pink and gradually fade to silver. This extremely productive variety makes a great cut flower—you can harvest the entire plant at once if desired. Papery seed heads can be used both fresh and dried.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 100 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 6 to 8 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.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest once flower heads reach desired size, but before they go to seed. Strip 80 percent of the foliage off during harvest. Do not put into the cooler. Expect a vase life of 10 to 14 days. Flowers can also be dried for later use. To dry, hang freshly cut stems upside down in a warm, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks or until they are firm to the touch.

Details

Description

These easy-to-grow, heat-loving plants produce an abundance of long, thin, stems adorned with fuzzy, clover-like blooms. Textural, spike-shaped flowers are blush-pink and gradually fade to silver. This extremely productive variety makes a great cut flower—you can harvest the entire plant at once if desired. Papery seed heads can be used both fresh and dried.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 to 48 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 100 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 12 in
Pinch: when 6 to 8 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.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest once flower heads reach desired size, but before they go to seed. Strip 80 percent of the foliage off during harvest. Do not put into the cooler. Expect a vase life of 10 to 14 days. Flowers can also be dried for later use. To dry, hang freshly cut stems upside down in a warm, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks or until they are firm to the touch.

Sources

How to Grow

Fall Mini Course

Learn how to successfully dig, divide & store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year

In our free, three-part video series, you’ll learn how and when to dig up your dahlia tuber clumps, how to divide dahlias to multiply your stock, and how to successfully store dahlias for an abundance of blooms year after year.