Cosmos Flowers in Every Hue: A Complete Color Guide

Cosmos flowers are a kaleidoscope of color, blooming in vibrant shades of pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, and white. The beloved chocolate cosmos stands out with its deep reddish-brown hue and subtle cocoa scent, while some cultivars showcase charming bi-colored petals. These cheerful blooms thrive throughout summer and into autumn, bringing continuous beauty to your garden. In this article, we’ll explore the rich palette of cosmos flower colors and what makes each one unique.

For gardeners just getting started, here’s our essential cosmos plant care and growing guide.

Pink Cosmos Flowers

1. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candy Stripe’

This stunner’s petals are edged in deep pink like they were hand-painted.

They’re perfect for adding texture to a mixed border or filling out an empty patch. Just be sure to give them space—they grow tall and love to sway with the breeze.

2. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Psyche Rose’

If flowers could flirt, this one would be batting its ruffled petals at you. The semi-double blooms are rich pink with frilly edges, standing out against the feathery green foliage.

They’ve got a slightly wild look, but that’s part of the charm. They attract bees and butterflies like it’s a garden party, so they’re great if you want to boost pollinators in your yard.

3. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Double Click Rose Bonbon’

This one’s a show-off—and rightly so. Its double blooms are full and lush, with petals that layer like a fancy party dress.

These types of cosmos love sunny spots, and they’re surprisingly easygoing for how elegant they look. Don’t forget to cut a few stems for your vases; they last a good while indoors.

4. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Daydream’

‘Daydream’ has a dreamy personality, with pale pink petals fading to a deep, eye-catching magenta center. If you like low-maintenance flowers with a lot of visual impact, this one’s for you. Scatter them among other wildflowers or let them shine solo—they’re happy either way.

5. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Xanthos Pink’

This is a soft pink variety with a hint of cream, making it a standout choice for lighter color palettes. ‘Xanthos Pink’ stays shorter than many cosmos, so it works well in containers or the front of your beds.

Despite its smaller size, it doesn’t skimp on beauty. Picture it spilling over a pot on your patio or softening the edge of a pathway.

Purple Cosmos Flowers

1. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Rubenza’

‘Rubenza’ starts as a deep burgundy-purple and fades gracefully to a dusty mauve. It’s dramatic yet elegant, like a sunset captured in petals. Perfect for adding depth to a mixed border or stealing the spotlight in a vase. Bonus: it thrives on neglect.

2. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Antiquity’

This variety leans into vintage vibes with muted purple petals that almost look aged in the best way. It’s shorter than most cosmos, making it ideal for containers or edging beds. ‘Antiquity’ feels like it belongs in a garden from another era.

3. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Velouette’

‘Velouette’ is all about bold streaks of deep purple and white on each petal. It’s a little wild, a little dramatic—perfect for shaking up a tidy flower bed. These blooms love the sun and seem to sparkle after rain.

4. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purple Haze’

The name fits—it’s a smoky, lavender-leaning purple with a soft, almost ethereal vibe. ‘Purple Haze’ blends beautifully into cottage gardens or meadow-style plantings. Think of it as the laid-back cousin of flashier cosmos varieties.

5. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Seashells Mix’ (Purple)

This variety’s tubular petals give it a playful, textural look. The purple shades within the mix are rich and velvety, standing out beautifully against the green foliage. It’s a great pick for adding unexpected flair to your garden lineup.

Orange Cosmos Flowers

1. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Bright Lights’

A true garden firecracker, ‘Bright Lights’ dazzles with its vibrant orange blooms. These flowers are heat-lovers, making them perfect for sunny spots that other plants shy away from. Bonus? Butterflies can’t resist them.

2. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Cosmic Orange’

Compact and punchy, ‘Cosmic Orange’ is a powerhouse in containers or along borders. Its bold, almost tangerine petals are cheerful and radiant, lighting up the garden like tiny suns.

3. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Klondike’

This classic orange cosmos has a slightly softer tone, like a ripe apricot. Tall and sturdy, ‘Klondike’ thrives in poorer soils and rough conditions, proving beauty doesn’t have to be high-maintenance.

4. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Diablo’

True to its name, ‘Diablo’ brings fiery orange-red petals with a slightly jagged edge that adds a touch of intensity. These flowers are striking in mixed plantings and grow strong in heat and drought.

5. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Tango’

‘Tango’ features vivid orange blooms with a velvety softness to the petals. Compact and easy to grow, it pairs beautifully with purples and yellows, creating a harmonious yet eye-catching garden palette.

Red Cosmos Flowers

1. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Rubenza’

This rich, wine-red variety has a moody elegance that deepens as the flowers age. It’s a standout in any garden and makes a gorgeous cut flower for moody, dramatic arrangements. Let it mingle with whites or pinks for a striking contrast.

2. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Diablo’

‘Diablo’ burns bright with fiery red-orange petals, giving your garden an intense burst of color. It thrives in tough conditions and practically laughs in the face of drought. Plant it where you want a bold, no-fuss display.

3. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Versailles Red’

‘Versailles Red’ is a classic deep crimson cosmos with a velvety texture to the petals. Named for French opulence, it brings that same elegance to your garden beds. Pair it with pale flowers to make its red pop even more.

4. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Scarlet Flame’

As the name suggests, this cosmos blazes with bright scarlet-red petals. It’s a compact variety, perfect for containers or edging, and a magnet for butterflies and pollinators. Think of it as a little dynamo in your flower collection.

5. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’

‘Dazzler’ lives up to its name with vivid, almost neon-red blooms. The petals shift to magenta as they mature, adding a dynamic splash of color to your garden. It’s tall, graceful, and perfect for a wildflower-style planting.

These red cosmos flowers bring intensity, drama, and undeniable charm to your garden, each offering its own spin on the fiery end of the spectrum.

Yellow Cosmos Flowers

1. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Yellow Garden’

This variety offers cheerful golden-yellow blooms that brighten up any corner of your garden. ‘Yellow Garden’ is a reliable choice for sunny spaces and is incredibly easy to grow. It’s like planting little pieces of sunshine.

2. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Sunset Yellow’

With soft, buttery-yellow petals, ‘Sunset Yellow’ lives up to its name by radiating warmth. Its delicate tone pairs beautifully with bolder hues, making it a team player in mixed plantings.

3. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Lemon Twist’

‘Lemon Twist’ has a citrusy charm with light lemon-yellow petals that seem to glow in soft light. Compact and bushy, it’s perfect for containers or the front of a border, adding a refreshing pop of color.

4. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Klondike Yellow’

A classic choice, ‘Klondike Yellow’ delivers vibrant, golden-yellow blooms that are rich and bold. It’s heat-loving, drought-tolerant, and practically made for pollinator gardens, attracting bees like a magnet.

5. Cosmos sulphureus ‘Xanthos’

This pale yellow beauty is elegant and understated, with creamy petals that are perfect for a softer garden palette. ‘Xanthos’ is compact and versatile, thriving equally well in flower beds or patio pots.

Yellow cosmos bring joy, light, and a warm, welcoming feel to any garden space. These varieties prove that even simple hues can steal the show.

White Cosmos Flowers

1. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Purity’

‘Purity’ is the quintessential white cosmos, with large, crisp white petals and a bright yellow center. It’s the picture of elegance, perfect for softening bold color schemes or creating a serene, monochromatic garden bed.

2. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata White’

This compact variety is a garden workhorse, producing a profusion of clean white blooms on shorter, bushier plants. It’s ideal for smaller spaces or container gardens, bringing a fresh, polished look without taking over.

3. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Cupcakes White’

True to its name, ‘Cupcakes White’ has unique fused petals that form delicate, cupcake-like blooms. Their pure white color adds a whimsical yet refined touch to borders and bouquets.

4. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘White Sensation’

Tall and graceful, ‘White Sensation’ boasts simple, radiant white flowers that seem to float above their fern-like foliage. They’re perfect for wildflower meadows or as a backdrop for colorful companions.

5. Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Snow Puff’

‘Snow Puff’ features semi-double blooms with layers of white petals, giving it a fuller, more textured look. Its soft, cloud-like appearance adds depth and charm to any garden display.

These white cosmos varieties bring a sense of calm and sophistication to your garden while blending beautifully with nearly any color scheme.

Chocolate Cosmos Flowers

Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) is unique among cosmos as it is a tuberous perennial rather than an annual. These cosmos have rich, reddish-brown single flowers with dark brown central florets that give off scents such as cocoa or vanilla.

Chocolate cosmos have deep meaning in Mexican culture and represents harmony, order, and balance. Chocolate cosmos can also symbolize intense feelings of attraction and love, especially desire and passion.

Cosmos atrosanguineus has been used to breed several intoxicating cosmos cultivars such as ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Choca Mocha’.

Wrapping Up

Cosmos flowers are beautiful annuals that add gorgeous colors to containers or summer garden displays. Cosmos flowers come in 7 primary colors; pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, white, and chocolate. Some species have also been used to create striking bi-colored cultivars. Cosmos flowers represent a range of meanings, including order, harmony, beauty, love, and peace.