Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Slender annual with feathery foliage and continuous open daisy flowers in pinks and whites. One of the easiest and most productive bee plants for the cutting garden.

Hardiness ratings

Cosmos hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 2–11 −45.6 °C to 10 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H3 −5 °C to 1 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 2–9 −40 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–7 −15 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Cosmos doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Outstanding bee forage and continuous flowering from midsummer to first frost
  • Easy from direct-sown seed in warm soil
  • Deadhead for continuous flowering, or leave the last flush to set seed for self-sowing

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Cosmos against your zones

Reference

Cosmos on Wikipedia