Overview of Wheat Celosia
Celosia is a genus of edible and ornamental herbaceous annuals and perennials in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) native to Africa, North America and South America. Celosia spicata (sometimes listed as C. argentea var. spicata) is a summer annual or short-lived tender perennial (zone 9a to 11b) grown as an ornamental for its distinctive, erect flower spikes reminiscent of a sheaf of wheat, which is the origin of the common name “wheat celosia.”
Taxonomists have reclassified wheat celosia to Deeringia spicata, though the horticulture industry has been slow to embrace this change and this species is still most commonly offered as C. spicata.
D. spicata has an open, branched habit with strong stems, growing 2 feet wide and 3 or more feet tall. The alternate, medium to dark-green leaves may be mottled or tinged with burgundy. The 2 to 6 inch long leaves are smooth and entire, oval or lance-shaped, and strongly veined.
Other species of celosia commonly grown as ornamental annuals are C. cristata (crested cockscomb), with a crested inflorescence, and C. argentea (sometimes listed as C. plumosa), with fluffy, plume-like inflorescences. A few varieties of C. argentea, like the SOL™ series, are grown for use as foliage plants rather than for their flowers.
Beginning in mid-summer, erect cylindrical inflorescences form on the branch tips above the foliage. The terminal spikes may be red, pink, purple, or bicolored and often develop a metallic silver sheen on the calyxes that remain after the flowers fade. The hundreds of small flowers densely packed within each spike bloom from the bottom up, and the spike continues to elongate as additional flowers open along the spike so that early flower spikes can be many inches long by time the frost arrives. Blooming continues until frost, but the plants are sturdy enough that they can remain upright and attractive through late fall.
The flowers are visited by bees, wasps, butterflies, and occasionally hummingbirds. After the flowers fade, small, shiny black seeds form in the stiff pink to white or beige calyxes that remains attractive even after the flowers fade. This makes the flowers excellent fresh or dried cut flowers (especially spikes 2 to 3 inches long, as longer spikes often do not hold up as well). Wheat celosia flowers are easily dried by hanging small bundles of flower stems upside down in a cool, dry room with good ventilation. The seeds will fall out as they dry.
These plants will self-seed readily and although undesired seedlings are easy to remove, it can become somewhat weedy as they set seed prolifically.
Landscape Use of Wheat Celosia
Use wheat celosia in annual or mixed beds and borders for vertical interest and contrast with mounded forms. It can be used in masses for a blast of color or in mixed containers as a “thriller” component.
Grow celosia in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Pinching plants when young promotes a more compact and bushy habit with more flowers. Taller plants or those in windy areas may need staking, but the flower spikes on plants that do tilt or fall over will turn to face upwards.
Wheat celosia is tolerant of heat and drought and generally has few pest problems, though it may develop powdery mildew. It is not favored by deer.
Propagating Wheat Celosia
Celosia is propagated only from seed. Although seed can be directly sown in the garden after the last frost, plants started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last date of frost will be larger and produce more flower spikes than direct sown plants.
Sow seeds about 1/8 inch deep in warm soil (65 °F or warmer) for germination in 1 to 2 weeks. Transplant carefully to avoid disturbing the roots.
Cultivars of Wheat Celosia
There are numerous cultivars available, including:
- CELWAY™ series grows 40 to 48 inches tall with flower spikes that have a central plume with smaller spikes below it, creating a full appearance. It is commonly used for cut flower production and is available in orange, purple, red, salmon, terracotta, white, and a mix. Cut flowers have long vase life.
- ‘Cramers Amazon’ has green foliage with burgundy highlights and deep purple-pink flowers that fade to pink. It is vigorous and grows 4 to 6 feet tall.
- ‘Flamingo Feather’ has an upright habit, growing 24 to 36 inches tall, with long stems with few leaves and an abundance of pale pink and rose pink flower spikes with silvery highlights.
- ‘Flamingo Purple’ has dark green leaves with burgundy highlights, dark red stems, and magenta purple flower spikes. It grows 28 to 34 inches tall, is late blooming, has a dense, leafy habit and is less floriferous than ‘Flamingo Feather’.
- ‘Kosmo’ series has a very compact habit, growing just 8 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide. Flower spikes are dense, with multiple side spikes and plants are early blooming. The series is available in ‘Cherry’, ‘Orange’, ‘Purple Red’, ‘Salmon’, ‘purple red, ‘Yellow’, and a mix of these colors
- ‘Ruby Parfait’ has flower spikes with dark purple tops that lighten to pink at the base of the spikes. It has a relatively compact habit, growing 24 to 36 inches tall. Flowers have a good vase life.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Revised: June 2026
