Celosias ( Celiosa spp . ) usually called Celosia cristata , feather amaranth , woolflower and red fox , are warm - weather condition inflorescence plant that flourish in red-hot , humid Mediterranean areas . Mature size of it varies , with plants that give top of 3 to 4 feet and nanus varieties that top out at only 6 inches . They are all promiscuous to handle for as long as their soil and sunlight requirements are met .
Although celosia is in the first place grown as an ornamental flora in the U.S. it is a usually produce veggie throughout Africa . The leaves , tender stems and even young peak are combined with other vegetables in soups and stews . Celosia leaves can be seethe or steam and eaten as a side dish as well . Hot chili oil or lime succus can be tot up to give a petty kick to the cooked celosia . The leave are tender and will break down quickly , making celosia a beneficial veggie to cook in a hurry .
Celosia plants are classified into three groups :
All varieties of genus Celosia thrive in passion and tolerate drouth , once established . Combined with other plants , the smaller genus Celosia form also make attractive container plants . Celosia lasts for a foresightful time as a cut flower , and when dried , is a beautiful accent in a dry flower arrangement . They are commonly acquire as annuals but can survive winters
Crested Celosia
The bloom heads of crest genus Celosia ( Celosia cristata ) , also called cockscomb celosia , resemble the structure of a brain , while some of the narrow flower heads look like a rooster ’s comb . Tall diversity originate to 3 feet marvellous and 1 1/2 feet wide , while midget varieties develop 10 inches improbable and 6 inches wide . Crested varieties have fan - shaped , velvety flower clusters that are bubble . color motley and include orange , lily-livered , red , violet , pinkish and ashen . Crested cockscomb plants are desirable for outdoor containers and may need staking when develop in flower bed .
Examples let in :
Plume Celosia
The flush heads of plume type celosia ( Celosia plumosa ) are soft , velvety and feathery . Plants , when untested , may also produce side shoot . improbable varieties grow 2 1/2 to 3 foundation tall and 1 1/2 substructure all-embracing , while gnome mixed bag grow 1 metrical unit eminent and one-half as wide . color admit shades of chicken , orange , crimson , scarlet and purpleness . This variety can also turn well in outside containers , and taller industrial plant do require staking .
Spike Celosia
Spike celosia ( Celosia spicata ) is also called wheat celosia , because its flower heads resemble heads of straw . This type of genus Celosia looks almost like a bush , because each plant produces many flower stalks . These cultivars are often between 12 and 36 column inch tall and are the most circumscribed in colors compare to the fleece and common cockscomb variety . Also , their flower heading are smaller to the other celosia types .
Types of Celosia
Toreador
Toreador ( Celosia cristata “ Toreador ” ) , which grows 18 to 20 inches marvelous and has a bright red 12 - inch flower head . Toreador celosia efflorescence promontory are prized for use in dry arrangements because they do not misplace their color as some other flower motley do .
Chief Series
The Chief Series ( Celosia cristata “ Chief Series ” ) is a mixture of 40 - inch marvellous plants with flower heads up to 7 inches across in brilliant color of dark red , carmine , gold , get up or red and yellow bi - color .
West Indian cock’s comb
Celosia nitida is commonly known as West Amerind cock ’s comb . The works can produce up to 2 m ( 6 groundwork ) in height , and flowers in gloam to winter .
Also Read : Major Varieties of Cosmos Flowers
Red Velvet celosia
Red Velvet celosia ( Celosia “ Red Velvet ” ) is an yearly cultivar of flower value for its fuzzy , blood - red bloom and erect , 10- to 18 - inch - marvellous growth habit .
Celosia palmeri
Celosia palmeri , usually known as Palmer ’s cockscomb grows to between 1 - 2 feet grandiloquent . Flowering takes place from summertime to wintertime .
Celosia Floribunda
They look more like tentacles with green to brown short seed on them , depending on the stage of maturity . These are in reality little bloom though they grow between 1 - 2 foot tall .
Also Read : Types of Agapanthus Flowers
Sylphid
Sylphid ( Celosia plumosa “ Sylphid ” ) carries farsighted plumes of lime green flush from January until freeze . A grand cut flower it also make a honest boundary line plant . It develop 60 to 80 cm marvellous by 50 cm wide .
Apricot Brandy
Apricot Brandy ( Celosia plumosa “ Apricot Brandy ” ) is a 6- to 12 - inch plant life with reddish - purple leave and apricot - orange tree plume . The apricot orange celosia plumes are so undifferentiated and symmetrical that spectacular showing bed are possible when grown as low background or hedge flowers .
Also Read : Popular Varieties of Amaryllis Flower
Flamingo Feathers
Flamingo Feathers ( Celosia spicata “ Flamingo Feathers ” ) is a well - branched industrial plant with rosiness - pink flowers , produce to 3 or 4 feet marvelous .
Glowing Spears Mix
The Glowing Spears Mix ( Celosia spicata “ Glowing Spears Mix ” ) consist of 24- to 30- inch plants with lily-white , pinkish and dark red flower heads . The plants require temperate hands - on care to prosper , but they will perform best if allow to establish a mature ascendent system before transplant .
How To Grow Celosia
Celosia perform undecomposed in garden beds and will often be stunted if grown in containers . They can be plant outside once soil temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit . Plants should be spaced about 8 - 12 inches apart depending on cultivar . These are the following necessity for choose a site for celosia :
