Yellow Cosmos

Cosmos sulphureus

The Yellow Cosmos is a bright and cheerful flower that loves to dance in the sunshine! Its yellow petals can brighten up any garden and attract butterflies and bees.

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Yellow Cosmos is a vibrant plant adorned with cheerful, daisy-like flowers. Its petals unfurl in brilliant shades of yellow and orange, often with a darker center, contrasting beautifully with its delicate, feathery green leaves. Slender stems support these sunny blooms.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusCosmos

Photo: Aris riyantoCC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Yellow Cosmos

Interesting facts

In some cultures, it was used to create beautiful yellow and orange dyes!

It's a fast grower, often blooming just weeks after its seeds sprout!

Its scientific name 'Cosmos' means 'beautiful order' in Greek, describing its neat petals!

The petals of Yellow Cosmos are actually edible and taste slightly bitter!

Special abilities

Yellow Cosmos has bright, vivid petals that act like a billboard, attracting bees and butterflies to help it reproduce.

Yellow Cosmos can thrive in less fertile soil and handle dry spells, thanks to its adaptable root system that seeks out moisture.

Yellow Cosmos can quickly grow from seed to flower in just a few weeks, allowing it to bloom abundantly.

Measurements & details

Height: 60-180 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 3-5 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Annual
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

Pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Feeds on nectar, helping transfer pollen between blooms.

Pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

An important generalist pollinator in its native range.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Pollinator

Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking flowers in a garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Yellow Cosmos?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Yellow Cosmos?

60-180 cm

How wide does Yellow Cosmos spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Yellow Cosmos?

3-5 cm

When does Yellow Cosmos bloom?

Summer to fall

Is Yellow Cosmos edible?

Yes

Is Yellow Cosmos toxic?

None