Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Plumed cockscomb bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called plumed cockscomb, feather celosia, plume celosia, wheat celosia, Prince of Wales feather (Celosia argentea var. plumosa).
More about plumed cockscomb
About Plumed cockscomb
Celosia argentea var. plumosa · also called plumed cockscomb, feather celosia · flowering
Plumed cockscomb is a bold warm-season annual grown for its feathery, flame-like plumes of scarlet, orange, yellow, pink or bicolour flowers above strong upright stems. Easier to grow than the crested form, it tolerates more heat and humidity. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is excellent for beds, borders, containers and long-lasting cut flowers. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Aphid colonies on soft tips: New shoot tips and flower bases can attract aphid colonies — dislodge with a strong water jet or apply insecticidal soap; avoid excess nitrogen feeding which produces the lush growth aphids favour.
The reasons plumed cockscomb isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming plumed cockscomb traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding plumed cockscomb a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get plumed cockscomb to flower
- Maximise sun. Give plumed cockscomb the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for plumed cockscomb and get the feeding right with the plumed cockscomb fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Plumed cockscomb flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full plumed cockscomb care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Plumed cockscomb blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my plumed cockscomb flower?
Plumed cockscomb blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make plumed cockscomb bloom?
Give plumed cockscomb the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does plumed cockscomb normally bloom?
Plumed cockscomb flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with plumed cockscomb after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping plumed cockscomb flowering?
Feeding plumed cockscomb a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Plumed cockscomb care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Plumed cockscomb light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Plumed cockscomb fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 2566 bloom guides in the Growli library