Garden Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
- Native to:
- Guam, Palau
Joydeep
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Cosmos
- Species:
- Cosmos bipinnatus
- USDA Symbol:
- COBI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, magenta, red, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Brick-lined borer (Papaipema marginidens), Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), Yellow-striped armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus) Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, bees, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to scrub and meadow areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with light; sow on surface or barely cover. Best at 70-75°F.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.