Cosmos

Cosmos Photo by Debbie Roland

By Debbie Roland, Master Gardener

Cosmos are a gardener’s dream in West Texas.  They are beautiful, drought-tolerant, and carefree.  With their feathery foliage and bright, daisy-like blooms, cosmos add a cheerful splash of color to your landscape while thriving in poor soil and heat.  These annuals are native to Central America and Mexico, making them perfect for our area.

There are two types of Cosmos:  Cosmos bipinnatus, which features pastel shades like lavender, white, and pink, and Cosmos sulphureus , which blooms in vibrant yellows and oranges. Both types grow well here, but the yellow and orange varieties tend to be slightly more heat-tolerant and pest-resistant – ideal for a West Texas garden.

Cosmos are best grown from seed and don’t need a lot of pampering nor do they need fertilizer.  In fact, rich soil or overfeeding can lead to leggy plants and fewer flowers.  Just scatter the seeds after the last frost date in spring – usually around late March or early April then lightly cover with soil.  Water them in and let nature take its course.  Cosmos germinate quickly usually within a week.  Expect blooming to begin in about sixty days.

Water regularly during the first few weeks to help young plants develop strong roots.  After that they need little supplemental water.  As mentioned above, fertilizer is not needed in fact neglect is often better than too much attention.  Deadheading (removing spent blooms) will encourage more flowering.

Depending on the variety cosmos can range from 1 foot to over 6 feet tall.  Taller varieties may benefit from staking if they are planted in a windy area.  Planting groups or against fences may also help.

This plant is a magnet for bees and butterflies.  Including them in your yard supports local pollinators and adds movement to your garden.  This plant is deer-resistant, a blessing if you live in a rural area.

At the end of the season, let them go to seed and drop to the ground for a hardy 2026 crop.  Be sure to collect some seeds from the spent blooms for other parts of your yard or garden.

Cosmos offers long-lasting color with little maintenance which is everything we need in a summer flower.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or in Midland at 686-4700.   Additional information, and our blog for access to past articles, is available at westtexasgardening.org.  Click on “Resources.”