Cosmos
ExplorePlants
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Cosmos has colorful flowers that come in pink, white, and purple! They are very cheerful and attract lots of butterflies.
Habitat: Gardens and fields
Appearance
The Cosmos has cheerful, daisy-like flowers with delicate, feathery foliage. Its petals come in vibrant shades of pink, purple, white, and orange, often with a sunny yellow center. The distinct slender petals radiate outwards, making it visually striking.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusCosmos
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
Before blooming, Cosmos flower buds nod over, looking sleepy, then perk up to face the sun!
Cosmos can attract beneficial insects like hoverflies, which help protect your garden from pests!
The name 'Cosmos' comes from a Greek word for 'order' or 'harmony' because of its neat petals!
These happy flowers are often called 'cut-and-come-again' because picking them encourages even more blooms!
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Magnet
Cosmos has bright, open flowers that produce abundant nectar, helping it attract bees and butterflies for successful pollination.
Ability
Sun Seeker
Cosmos can thrive in full sun and tolerate dry conditions, which helps it grow strong and healthy in open, sunny spots.
Ability
Self-Sower
Cosmos produces many seeds that can drop and sprout new plants next year, helping it reproduce easily and spread its population.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 60-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 5-10 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Monarch butterfly
Danaus plexippus
Feeds on nectar, helping spread pollen.
pollinates
Common Eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
Collects pollen and nectar from blooms.
Traits
Annual
Annual plants complete their entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
Garden CosmosMexican Aster
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cosmos?
60-150 cm
How wide does Cosmos spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Cosmos?
5-10 cm
When does Cosmos bloom?
Summer to fall
Is Cosmos edible?
No
Is Cosmos toxic?
None
What is Cosmos's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Cosmos pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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