How to Grow Cosmos Candystripe Picotee

Cosmos Candystripe Picotee

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Candystripe Picotee'

flower

Cosmos Candystripe Picotee is a striking annual flower featuring delicate, feathery foliage and distinctive two-toned blooms with white petals edged in deep pink or red picotee markings. This cultivar produces abundant flowers from summer through fall, making it an excellent choice for cut flowers and garden displays. It grows 3-4 feet tall and adds an elegant, cottage-garden charm to any landscape.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (prefers 8+ hours for best flowering)

💧

Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry between waterings. Once established, very drought-tolerant. Overwatering may reduce flowering and promote disease.

📏

Spacing: 12 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 45-60 days to first flowers from transplant; 70-85 days from seed

🌱

Planting depth: Surface sow or barely cover seeds; 1/8 inch deep. Seeds require light to germinate.

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam to loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-11; grows as annual in all zones

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with cotyledons emerge within 5-10 days. Fine, feathery true leaves begin developing.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeding.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops bushy foliage with delicate, finely dissected leaves. Stems elongate and branching increases.

Water moderately. No fertilizer needed if soil is adequate; excess nitrogen promotes foliage over flowers. Pinch tips early to encourage bushier growth.

Budding

2-3 weeks

Flower buds form at branch tips. Plant reaches mature height of 3-4 feet.

Continue moderate watering. Provide stakes or cages if plants seem tall or leggy. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer.

Flowering

8-12 weeks (until frost)

Abundant two-toned flowers with white petals and pink/red picotee edges bloom prolifically. Flowers are 2-3 inches across on thin stems.

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Water during dry spells. Cut flowers frequently for bouquets to stimulate more blooms.

Late Season/Frost Damage

Variable, until first hard freeze

Flowering continues until first hard frost (around 28°F or -2°C). Plant deteriorates after frost exposure.

Pull plants after frost kills them. Collect seeds if desired before final frost. Allow some flowers to go to seed for self-seeding next year.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Zinnias Marigolds Sunflowers Dahlias Salvia Rudbeckia Celosia Verbena

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring constant moisture Shade-loving perennials

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation is severe. Increase humidity slightly.
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or introduce ladybugs. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer.
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering. Spray with fungicide containing sulfur or potassium bicarbonate if needed.

Uses

🍳

Edible Flower Garnish

Culinary

Cosmos flowers are edible and make beautiful, delicate garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

The picotee blooms are exceptional cut flowers, lasting well in arrangements and adding height and texture to bouquets. The airy stems and two-toned flowers are prized by florists. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Cosmos attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. Late-season seed production also provides food for songbirds. [source]

🏠

Garden Color & Texture

Household

The distinctive picotee marking and abundant blooms provide long-lasting color from mid-summer through frost, filling cottage gardens and mixed borders with elegant height and movement. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

Cosmos has been used in traditional Mexican and Central American medicine to support respiratory health and overall wellness, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are hydrated, choosing blooms that are newly opened. Cut above a leaf node to encourage branching. Flowers last 7-10 days in a vase with fresh water. For seeds, allow flowers to fade and dry on the plant; harvest seedpods when brown and papery (late summer/early fall).

Fun Facts

🌱 Cosmos bipinnatus originates from Mexico and Central America and was introduced to Europe in the 18th century, becoming a Victorian garden favorite.
🌱 The name 'Cosmos' comes from the Greek word 'kosmos,' meaning 'harmony' or 'order,' reflecting the perfect symmetry of its flowers.
🌱 Cosmos are famously low-maintenance and actually flower MORE prolifically in poor soil; rich soil promotes excessive foliage at the expense of blooms.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free