Photo: Josh HedleyCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Cockscomb Plant Care
Celosia argentea L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Celosia argentea, commonly known as the plumed cockscomb or silver cock's comb, is a herbaceous plant of tropical origin in the family Amaranthaceae from tropical Africa. The plant is known for its very bright colors.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Cockscomb?
Water Cockscomb every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 3 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Where Is the Cockscomb Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Cockscomb?
Cockscomb (Celosia argentea) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Celosia genus. Cockscomb is native to Africa, Asia. Cockscomb is also known as Silver Cockscomb, Wool Flower, Velvet Flower.
Cockscomb displays an upright, bushy annual growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Cockscomb produces bright, colorful plume-like flowers in red, pink, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cockscomb?
Celosia argentea requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Cockscomb Need?
Cockscomb thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cockscomb Prefer?
Celosia argentea grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Cockscomb prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cockscomb?
Well-draining soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Cockscomb to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cockscomb?
Feed Cockscomb every 3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 3 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Cockscomb?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Cockscomb?
Cockscomb can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Cockscomb Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Non-toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Cockscomb?
Cockscomb is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Cockscomb Need?
Cockscomb grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Cockscomb is native to Africa, Asia. In cooler regions, grow Cockscomb as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Cockscomb is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Celosia genus — compare its care with other Celosia species on PlantoScan.
Celosia is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.
Cockscomb thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Celosia argentea L., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 205 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Cockscomb as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Josh Hedley, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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