Garden cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Also known as Cosmos bipinnatus var. albiflorus, Bidens reptans, Bidens formosa, Cosmos bipinnatus

Zones 4–9Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low

Native Plants · Cosmos · Annual · Cottage-Garden · Cut-Flower · Pollinator · Easy-To-Grow · Butterfly-Garden · Colorful · Full-Sun · Summer-Bloomer

Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyAttracts pollinators

In stock at 3 nurseriesStock updated 9/10/2026

Garden cosmos is an easy-going, sun-loving annual that rewards gardeners with an abundance of daisy-like blooms in pink, white, and magenta from summer through frost. Sow directly in the garden after the last frost and avoid over-fertilizing, as rich soil encourages foliage over flowers. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to extend the flowering season and encourage bushy growth.

Growing conditions

The details behind the basics

Daily light: 8 hours
Watering: Water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings · Every 7-10 days
Maintenance: Low
Soil: loam
Soil pH: 7–7.5
Temperature: -20°F to 90°F
Cycle: Perennial
Propagation: Seed, Division

Hardiness

USDA 4a-9b

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Your zone

Form & growth

Mature size and habit

Mature height: 12 in – 3 ft
Spread: 2 ft
Spacing: 18 in apart
Growth rate: Moderate
Root depth: Medium
Flowers: No
Foliage: Medium

Ecology & origin

Where it belongs and what it brings

Native to: Afghanistan, Alabama, Andaman Is., Angola, Arizona, Arkansas, Assam, Austria, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Bulgaria, California, Cameroon
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Birds

Sources: trefle, usda