Annual
Cosmos
Cosmos
Varieties We Carry
StandardCosmosCosmic OrangeCosmos sulphureusCosmic RedCosmos sulphureus
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$6.95
Seed PackFrom$2.99
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 25.
LightFull Sun
WaterLow to Moderate
Mature size1-3 feet (C. sulphureus); up to 6 feet for C. bipinnatus × 2-3 feet (varies by cultivar)
About Cosmos
Sulphur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is a Mexican annual bearing semi-double, daisy-like flowers in vivid orange, red, and yellow on upright, feathery-leaved stems. Exceptionally heat-tolerant and fast-growing, it thrives in full sun and poor soils, blooming prolifically from spring through fall in NE Florida and attracting butterflies and bees throughout the season. Starting at $6.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Yellow, Orange, Red
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Annual
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Bloom season. Foliage may begin to change or drop.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Light
Plant in full sun; Cosmos sulphureus is one of the most heat-tolerant cosmos for Florida's warm season, blooming from spring through fall in NE Florida.
Water
Low to moderate water needs; drought-tolerant once established and actually blooms better in leaner, drier conditions — avoid overwatering or rich, wet soils that cause lush foliage but poor flowering.
Soil & Fertilizer
Thrives in poor to average, well-drained soils — NE Florida's sandy soils are ideal. Avoid fertilizing heavily; excess nitrogen produces tall, floppy plants with few flowers. Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering through summer and fall.
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Common questions
Is Cosmos a good plant for St. Augustine?
Cosmos is a annual for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with medium salt tolerance, reaching 1-3 feet (C. sulphureus); up to 6 feet for C. bipinnatus × 2-3 feet (varies by cultivar).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.