Cosmos produces a dazzling display of gorgeous colorful flowers from early summer until fall. These annuals love plenty of sunlight, are easy to grow, and can even handle periods of drought. Watering is vital for optimal plant growth, health, and development in each flowering season. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about when and how to water cosmos flowers in your garden each year.
When and How to Water Cosmos – The Essentials
Cosmos are drought-tolerant plants that only need watering once a week when established during the summer months. If you experience exceptionally hot or dry weather, water cosmos more frequently. For cosmos growing in containers, only water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Keep seed trays moist until seedlings emerge.
Botanical Overview
| Name: | Cosmos |
| Scientific Name: | Cosmos spp. |
| Native Range: | Mexico and other parts of Central and South America |
| Growing Zones: | USDA Zones 2 to 11 |
| Flowering Season: | Early summer until first fall frosts |
| Colors: | pink, purple, yellow, orange, red, and white |
About Cosmos
The Cosmos genus consists of about 35 accepted species that all belong to the aster or daisy family (Asteraceae). The name is derived from “kosmos”, a Greek word that means “beauty” or “harmony”. As well as the accepted species, there are also several stunning cosmos cultivars.
Most types of cosmos are flowering annuals, but chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) is a tuberous perennial. Most cosmos cultivars are derived from two species; garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatum) and yellow cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus).
Cosmos flowers grow in clumps that can reach between 3 and 5 feet tall and spread for approximately 2 to 3 feet. Cosmos are famed for their beautiful single, double, or semi-double flowers and soft, feathery leaves, which can benefit from fertilizing throughout the growing season.
Cosmos plants have composite flowers with central disc florets that are surrounded by ray petals. These flowers grow in clusters produced by several branches attached to the main stems.
Cosmos flowers are straightforward to grow and are well-suited for growing in pots. They can be grown as a cut flower crop for vases and bouquets. Cosmos also provide valuable nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hoverflies during the summer.
Along with marigolds, cosmos are one of the birth flowers for October. Cosmos flowers are associated with harmony, order, and balance. They may also represent love, peace, and modesty.
The Importance of Watering Correctly
Like most organisms, plants depend on water to survive. Plants use water as a primary resource to create new tissues. In fact, up to 95% of a plant’s mass usually consists of water.
During photosynthesis, water is mixed with carbon dioxide to create glucose. Carbon dioxide is obtained through the foliage, while the plant’s roots absorb water from the soil. The glucose is then used to produce cellulose, which is the main building block of plant tissue.
By absorbing water for photosynthesis, plants can extract nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the soil. Plants can also evaporate excess water using their leaves to cool down if temperatures get too hot. This stimulates the plant to absorb more water from the soil, keeping it hydrated.
When to Water Cosmos
Once your cosmos has become established, water it approximately once a week unless you’ve recently had some rainfall. Cosmos are annuals and will become established within two months or so. Cosmos can start producing flowers from seed in 7 to 14 weeks after sowing.
Cosmos plants have different water requirements at various stages of their life cycle. After sowing cosmos seeds, keep them consistently moist. This may require you to water them every day until the seedlings emerge. Cosmos seedlings typically appear after about 7 to 10 days.
When the seedlings are strong enough to transplant, water them at least once a week until they are fully established. This usually takes about two months.
If you’re growing cosmos in containers or pots, they will need watering more often than cosmos growing in borders. Using your finger, check if the top 2 inches of soil feel dry before watering. This helps prevent your cosmos from sitting in waterlogged soil.
Do Cosmos Prefer Wet or Dry Soil?
Cosmos prefer moist to dry soil and are relatively drought-tolerant. However, waterlogged soil causes lots of problems for cosmos. If these annuals are left in wet soil, they can suffer from fungal infections and other problems like root rot.
Only water your cosmos once a week unless you’ve recently had some rainfall. Grow them in loose, gritty, well-draining soils to ensure that excess water drains away. Cosmos can handle dry soils for short periods.
Seasonal Changes to Consider
Although cosmos are drought-tolerant, they can still suffer in exceptionally hot or dry conditions. If you experience high temperatures or prolonged periods of drought, water your cosmos more frequently. Cosmos grow best in USDA Zones 2 to 11 and can handle most conditions in these areas.
Cosmos are annuals, meaning each plant only lasts for a year before it expires. As such, you won’t need to stop watering cosmos during the winter. They will naturally die off once the first frost arrives in the fall.
How to Water Cosmos
Watering cosmos flowers properly helps avoid problems associated with overwatering or underwatering. Water cosmos approximately once per week or whenever the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. This is especially important for cosmos growing in containers.
Always aim your watering can at the base of the stems. This helps you avoid splashing water on the foliage or flowers. If this does happen, it can lead to fungal infections and other problems.
It’s best to water cosmos flowers early in the morning whenever possible. This allows excess water to evaporate before nightfall. Avoid watering cosmos during hot afternoons because too much water may evaporate before soaking into the soil.
Signs of Overwatering
Because cosmos have relatively low water requirements, overwatering is a common problem. Here are the main symptoms of overwatering:
Drooping or Yellowing Foliage
Drooping or yellowing foliage is a common symptom of root rot, which occurs when cosmos are sitting in waterlogged soil. Check the soil with your finger. If it feels soaking wet, lift the plant and examine the roots.
If any roots smell bad or look brown and mushy, the plant is suffering from root rot. Cut these roots away and mix some sand or grit into the soil to improve drainage. Put the plant back and avoid watering until the soil has dried out.
Symptoms of Disease
As well as root rot, waterlogged soil can leave cosmos more vulnerable to disease, especially fungal infections such as Botrytis blight. If you see discolored leaves or deposits of mold, check the soil. If it feels wet, the plant has waterlogged soil. Apply a treatment for the disease and let the soil dry out more before watering again.
Signs of Underwatering
Although cosmos are drought-tolerant annuals; they can still suffer from underwatering in extremely hot or dry conditions. Here are the main symptoms of underwatering:
Dry or Cracked Soil
Cosmos growing in containers are more susceptible to underwatering. If the soil looks dry and cracked and starts pulling away from the edge of the container, the plant is too dry. Give your cosmos little doses of water over the next couple of days to rehydrate the soil.
Wilting Foliage
If your cosmos has droopy or wilting foliage, it’s probably thirsty. Check the soil to see if it feels dry, then water the plant more frequently until it perks back up.
Watering Cosmos Flowers FAQs:
What are the common signs that a Cosmos needs watering?
Dry, cracked soil and wilting foliage are clear signs that your cosmos needs watering. These are the main symptoms of underwatering.
Should I avoid the leaves when watering Cosmos?
Whenever you water cosmos, try and avoid getting water on the leaves or flowers. Wet foliage can lead to fungal infections such as Fusarium wilt.
What should I do if I overwater my Cosmos?
Check the soil if you’re worried about overwatering your cosmos. If the soil feels waterlogged, avoid watering again until the medium has dried out. You can also mix in some grit or sand to improve drainage.
Wrapping Up
Cosmos are stunning drought-tolerant flowers with relatively simple watering requirements. Water cosmos approximately once per week if it hasn’t rained in a few days. If you’re growing cosmos in containers, only water whenever the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Water cosmos more frequently in extended periods of drought or hot weather.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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