41 Cosmos Flower Facts: Everything You Need To Know

Cosmoses are pretty flowers that can be easily grown in your backyard.

These flowers belong to the Asteraceae family, which is also known as the Aster family. Cosmos flowers belong to the genus of the same name (Cosmos).

The name 'cosmos' is said to have been given to the flowers by Spanish priests because of their even petals. Cosmos plants can also be seen growing freely.

Cosmos flowers, with their vivid colors, can be great to attract butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinators to your garden. They are quite easy to grow and don't need as much care as some other particular species of plants.

The body parts of the cosmos plant include flowers, stems, leaves, and roots. An interesting fact about the petals of the cosmos flowers is that they are edible.

Yes, you can actually eat a cosmos flower if you know what you are doing. Of course, you should only do this if you are knowledgeable about these flowers and after washing them under water to rinse out any dirt particles and other germs that might be present on them.

This flower is even safe for dogs to consume. So, if you by chance find your pet dog chewing on these delights, there is no need to worry as they won't harm your pet.

Environmental Factors

Cosmos plants are seasonal plants like many other plant species. Although cosmos plants do not require much extra attention or care, they still need to be planted correctly and given proper nourishment. They are also considered to be low-maintenance flowering plants.

You can sow the seeds of cosmos plants in spring, and the flowers from the plants will bloom until fall. You can initially sow the seeds of the plants in containers and then move the young saplings to pots later. You can also directly grow the plants in garden beds by sowing cosmos seeds into the soil.

Remember to sow the seeds lightly in the ground. They should not be pressed deeper than 0.25 in (0.63 cm) into the ground.

Initially, it takes around seven weeks for the flowers to bloom if you are growing the plants right from seed level. Since these plants do not need any particular preparation of soil, they can be planted easily.

Moreover, the soil for cosmos plants should not be too rich. This is because rich soil means more foliage growth which can hinder the bloom of these flowers.

Although the tolerance level of these plants is quite high in terms of soil pH levels, they grow and bloom best in neutral or alkaline soils. Furthermore, if the soil has the quality of good drainage, then it is good for these plants.

Cosmos plants can tolerate some amount of neglect as they can grow in dry weather too. In fact, these plants actually bloom well in warm and dry climates.

You can provide them with adequate water, and they will grow well.

Moreover, if you leave the flowers on these plants, the seeds will probably blow away and grow into new plants in your garden and surrounding areas. In the wild, where cosmos flowers grow, pollinators such as bees and butterflies are the ones who help to carry the seeds to different places and help grow new plants.

One particular factor that cosmos plants need is sunlight. Cosmos flowers won't bloom properly if they are kept in the shade. They need lots of sunlight, and therefore it is preferable to grow them in a place that receives a large amount of sunlight during the daytime.

Geographical Factors

Cosmoses are annual blooming flowers. This means that there is a certain period in a year that can be considered as the blooming period of these flowers and plants. Usually, like many other flowers, cosmoses grow during the spring season.

Cosmos flowers are native to parts of South America and Mexico. They are also said to have originated from some parts of Central America. Nowadays, cosmos plants can be found in many parts of the world due to the availability of seeds on the market.

While some species of cosmos are winter hardy, which means they can survive up to an extent in cold weather, there are some varieties that absolutely need warm temperatures to grow and bloom. This means that some cosmos flowers cannot handle cold and will not be able to grow in countries with extreme winters.

The ones that can actually grow in such countries are the winter-hardy varieties. All in all, cosmoses of different varieties can be found growing and blooming in different geographical locations and conditions.

Beauty Factors

Cosmoses are tall varieties of flowering plants with abundant blooms during the spring season. As part of the Asteraceae family, the flowers of cosmos plants are considered to be ornamental flowers, among other uses. They also make for great cut flowers to decorate your house with.

The cosmos is known for its cosmic beauty. The beauty of these flowers lies in the flower heads on the slender stems.

They are not only colorful but also evenly shaped. Quite often, people have noted that cosmos flowers are actually daisy-like flowers. The flower heads of the cosmos can either be bowl-shaped and slightly curved or have a flat, open-cut shape.

Each different species of these daisy-like flowers has distinctive differences in their petals and flower color that enhance their appearance and add to their beauty. The two most popular and common varieties of cosmos plants are cosmos bipinnatus and cosmos sulphureus.

Cosmos bipinnatus is commonly known as garden cosmos or Mexican aster. Meanwhile, Cosmos sulphureus is known as the yellow cosmos or even the orange cosmos.

The differences between these two species can be seen in their leaves and flower color. While cosmos bipinnatus has leaves that have quite threadlike segments, the yellow cosmos has leaves that are long and hairy.

In terms of flowers, as the name of the yellow cosmos suggests, they are yellow in color. On the other hand, garden cosmos flowers come in white, shades of pink, or dark rose colors.

Apart from these two varieties, there are also various other cultivated varieties, including the hybrid ones that stay true to the beauty of the cosmos. One interesting variety is the chocolate cosmos, which is native to Mexico. They are considered to be rare flowers in the wild and have a deep red color when they bloom completely.

Another cosmos plant type is the picotee, which has white flowers with borders of crimson color. They can also have freckles of a crimson color. On the other hand, sea shells cosmos, true to their name, have flowers in white, pink or red colors. Moreover, the shapes of the petals of these cosmos resemble a tube.

Because of their ornamental beauty, cosmoses are not only grown in a garden to make it look more colorful and attract pollinators and birds; they are also used in bouquets. These cut flowers, with their bright colors and evenly shaped petals, can make anywhere look pretty and dazzling.

With their long and slender stems, these flowers can be added to a vase to decorate your house.

Business And Sales Factors

Cosmoses are popular garden variety flowers. They are in demand because of the wide range of sparkling colors and the notion that they do not require much effort to grow. Thus, because of their high demand, they are also sold a lot.

A single cosmos flower at your local garden center might cost around $1.35. If you were to buy a bunch of them together, then the number might seem a little big and make you reconsider.

Buying young saplings or a bunch might be costlier. Instead, you can alternatively try to buy seeds. Seeds can be a lot cheaper than the actual plant.

Furthermore, different varieties of cosmoses have different selling prices. While some species of the cosmos, like the rare chocolate cosmos, can have a high price, the other varieties might not.

It is OK to purchase a bunch of flowers to gift someone, but if you are looking to grow these beauties in your garden, then purchasing seeds may be a better option. The steps to sow the seeds in your garden are not complicated.

On the other hand, they are quite easy to understand. Moreover, instead of a garden, you can also grow them in pots.

Cosmos plants are grown in high numbers in North America. Therefore, the sales and business of the cosmos are pretty high in that region.

However, they are also loved in other parts of the continent too. Just buy a packet of high-quality cosmos seeds and sow them. Then, watch them bloom in the summer heat and provide an attractive sight.

What do cosmos flowers symbolize?

Many things have a symbolic meaning associated with them. Flowers are often deep and beautiful symbols in culture and society.

This symbolism might arise because of their name, appearance, or association with an individual or an event that took place in history. The cosmos also has various symbolic meanings associated with it by different people. Some of these symbols are discussed below.

Some people believe that the very name of the cosmos is symbolism for order and harmony. They feel that perfectly arranged, and shaped flowers symbolize the cosmic order of the universe. It was this symbolism of the cosmos that led the Spanish Priests in Mexico to name them as such.

Some other people also believe that the cosmos can symbolize tranquility, balance, and peace. This symbolism may be from the fact that they are quite pleasant to look at, and they appear gentle in nature.

The cosmos can also be considered a symbol of innocence, joy, and beauty by some people. Moreover, they can also symbolize the expression and emotion of love and the concept of modesty.

Each of these symbolic meanings is based on various aspects of the cosmos. Furthermore, the symbolism of these or any other entity influences the way we look at them and the occasions they are used for.

For example, there are certain species of flowers that are often used for specific situations because of the symbolism attached to them.

Similarly, people's perspective towards the cosmos can also be affected by the symbolism associated with it. So, if you want to gift a cosmos to someone or add it to the decorations of some event, you can do so while knowing what they symbolize.

Whilst there are many different beliefs about what this flower symbolizes, there are also many people who do not believe these things, and it is important to remember that many of these beliefs are not proven.