Chocolate Cosmos: A Guide to Growing and Caring for This Fragrant Flower
Overview
Chocolate cosmos, a captivating flower with its deep crimson petals and mesmerizing chocolate-vanilla fragrance, is a coveted addition to any garden. Native to Mexico, this unique plant has become increasingly popular due to its ease of cultivation and its ability to thrive in various climates.
Characteristics
Chocolate cosmos boasts velvety, rounded petals that form a rich, dark maroon bloom. Its flowers, slightly smaller than those of garden cosmos, measure approximately 1.5 inches across. The plant’s stems are thin and reddish-brown, adorned with green leaflets.
Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Chocolate cosmos thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six hours of direct exposure daily.
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0 is ideal. For container cultivation, a mixture of potting soil and topsoil is recommended, with the addition of pebbles to ensure proper drainage.
- Water: Established plants require moderate watering, approximately once per week. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
- Temperature: Chocolate cosmos is frost-sensitive and should be planted only after the last frost date has passed. In colder climates, it is typically grown as an annual, while in warmer zones (9-11), it can be grown as a perennial.
- Fertilizer: These flowers are not heavy feeders. A single application of a balanced fertilizer for flowering plants in the springtime is usually sufficient.
Cultivation
- From Seed: Collect seeds from reputable sources, as seeds from homegrown plants are often sterile. Sow seeds indoors in early March or directly outdoors in early May. Plant seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep and keep the soil evenly moist. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days.
- From Tubers: Dividing existing chocolate cosmos plants is a convenient way to propagate them. Dig up plants in the fall or spring, shake off excess soil, and cut the tubers into sections, ensuring each section has at least two new growth buds and some stem tissue. Treat cuts with horticultural charcoal powder and plant tubers at the same depth as the original plant.
- Containers: Chocolate cosmos can be successfully grown in containers. Use well-draining soil and pots with ample drainage holes. Consider adding rocks to the bottom of the container to facilitate water drainage.
Care
- Pruning: To encourage vigorous branching and flower production, pinch young plants once they reach a height of 8 inches. After the first flush of flowering, cut plants back to 12 to 18 inches. This stimulates new growth and potentially more blooms.
- Overwintering: In colder climates, chocolate cosmos can be dug up in the fall, stored cool and dry like dahlias or cannas, and replanted in the spring. Alternatively, trim stems to the base and move the container to a frost-free location during winter months.
- Pests and Diseases: Chocolate cosmos can be susceptible to powdery mildew, stem canker, Rhizoctonia stem rot, gray mold, and aphids. Provide ample air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
Additional Tips
- Bloom Time: Chocolate cosmos typically blooms in summer, around June or July, and continues to produce flowers until temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Fragrance: The chocolatey fragrance of these flowers is due to vanillin, an organic compound also found in cocoa. The scent is most noticeable on warm days.
- Companion Planting: Chocolate cosmos pairs exceptionally well with pink blooms, creamy white flowers, and blue hues. Plant them near a patio or seating area to enjoy their fragrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are chocolate cosmos edible? Despite their appetizing scent, chocolate cosmos plants are not edible.
- Can you overwater chocolate cosmos? Yes, overwatering can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Why are my chocolate cosmos not flowering? Possible reasons include insufficient sunlight, overfertilization, or a lack of cold temperatures during winter (for perennial plants).
- How can I encourage more blooms? Cut back plants to 12 to 18 inches after the first flush of flowering. Deadheading spent blooms also promotes new flower production.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow and care for chocolate cosmos, bringing a touch of elegance and fragrance to your garden.