- Botanical name: Cosmos atrosanguineus
- Common name: Chocolate cosmos
- Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
Chocolate cosmos, Cosmos atrosanguineus, is a tender Mexican perennial grown as much for its scent of vanilla and hot chocolate as for its dusky brownish-red late-summer blooms. It’s perfect for growing i a hot sunny garden, and makes an exotic cut flower.
Grow Cosmos atrosanguineus as a tuberous dahlia, in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. In northern regions, lift the tubers to overwinter indoors. Alternatively mulch well in autumn or raise in pots which you can move indoors.
How to grow Cosmos atrosanguineus
-
Plant size
90cm height
45cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Cosmos atrosanguineus and wildlife
Cosmos atrosanguineus is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Cosmos atrosanguineus poisonous?
Cosmos atrosanguineus has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Cosmos atrosanguineus
