Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White' (Casanova Series)
ABOUT
The Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White,' commonly known as garden cosmos, is a striking floral plant characterized by its pure white, daisy-like flowers. The flowers are composed of a central disc featuring tiny, button-like structures encircled by a ring of delicate, radiating petals that give the blooms their classic, elegant appearance. These pristine white petals contrast beautifully with the bright, typically yellow disc at the flower's center. The plant's foliage is feathery and finely divided, imbuing the greenery with an airy and lacy texture. Each leaf is composed of multiple, narrow segments adding to the overall delicate and graceful structure of the plant. The garden cosmos creates a light and breezy effect in the garden, with its flowers often attracting a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which enhance the plant's visual appeal with their lively presence.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cosmos
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus
ToxicityTo humans
Cosmos, including the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White', is typically not considered to be toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of this plant usually does not lead to serious poisoning. However, as with any non-food plant, individual reactions can vary, and it might cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.
To pets
Cosmos, commonly known simply as cosmos, is not known to be toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. Ingesting parts of this plant, including Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White', should not cause significant illness. Nevertheless, pets can sometimes experience mild gastrointestinal upset after ingesting non-food plants, so it's always best to keep an eye on your pets and prevent them from eating garden plants whenever possible.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
Varies
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White' is particularly attractive to bees and butterflies, encouraging pollination within the garden.
- Easy to Grow: This cultivar is known for being beginner-friendly, requiring minimal care to thrive.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The bright white flowers add visual interest and can be used to create a contrast in the garden.
- Cut Flowers: The blossoms make excellent cut flowers with a good vase life, perfect for indoor floral arrangements.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is fairly drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
- Self-seeding: The plant can self-seed under the right conditions, providing a continuous display year after year without additional planting.
- Beneficial Insect Habitat: Provides a habitat and food source for beneficial garden insects.
- Easy to Integrate: Its neutral color and delicate foliage make it easy to integrate into various garden designs and flower borders.
- Season-Long Blooms: Offers a long blooming season, often from early summer until the first frost.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cosmos bipinnatus can be used in natural dye production, where the petals provide a source of yellow to orange hues for fabrics and textiles.
- The plant can serve as an educational tool in schools for lessons on pollination and the life cycle of plants, as it is easy to grow and observe.
- Ink production is another unusual use for Cosmos bipinnatus, as the pigments from the petals can be extracted to create natural inks for art projects.
- The long stems and vibrant flowers of Cosmos bipinnatus make it a suitable choice for creating natural weaving materials in crafts and basketry.
- Cosmos bipinnatus can be used in photography as a preferred subject due to its striking white blooms, adding contrast and interest to floral compositions.
- The plant can act as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and reducing water evaporation when planted densely in garden beds.
- As a companion plant, Cosmos bipinnatus can attract beneficial insects to the garden, thereby supporting integrated pest management practices.
- The dried petals of Cosmos bipinnatus can be used in potpourri mixes to add fragrance and decorate bowls or sachets in the home.
- By using the stems and flowers, Cosmos bipinnatus can become part of a natural art installation, adding an ephemeral quality to outdoor artistic expressions.
- The delicate structure of Cosmos bipinnatus may be applied in scientific studies focusing on plant morphology and adaptation concerning growing conditions and environmental factors.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe garden cosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe garden cosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love and Affection: The flower is part of the "Casanova" series, and with Casanova being synonymous with romance and courtship, this plant often symbolizes love and affection.
- Beauty: Cosmos bipinnatus, with its delicate and symmetrical flowers, is often associated with beauty, reflecting its attractive appearance.
- Harmony: The symmetrical petals of the flower symbolize balance and harmony in life.
- Modesty: Despite its striking appearance, cosmos flowers carry a simplicity that can be associated with modesty.
- Peace: The light and airy nature of the flower's stance and movement in the breeze are often related to peace and tranquility.
- Order and Wholeness: The Greek root of the word 'cosmos' means order and wholeness, and, by extension, the flower may also carry these symbolic meanings.
WaterGarden Cosmos or Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White' should be watered regularly, ensuring the soil is kept consistently moist but not soggy. During the growing season, water the plant thoroughly once a week with about one to two gallons of water, depending on weather conditions. In periods of high heat and dryness, you may need to water more frequently. It's important to avoid overwatering, as Cosmos does not like to sit in waterlogged soil.
LightGarden Cosmos thrives in full sun, meaning it requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant 'Casanova White' in a location that receives unfiltered sunlight throughout the day for optimal growth and flower production. Avoid shady areas, as insufficient light can lead to weak growth and fewer blooms.
TemperatureGarden Cosmos prefers warm conditions and is best grown in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of 25 degrees Fahrenheit but may not survive frost. Ideal temperatures for 'Casanova White' are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourage healthy growth and flowering.
PruningPruning Garden Cosmos 'Casanova White' helps to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote continuous flowering. In the late summer or as the blooms diminish, you can cut back the plant by one-third to refresh it and potentially induce a new flush of flowers.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Cosmos bipinnatus, also known as Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster, is a light, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. A mix of two-parts garden soil, one-part peat, and one-part perlite or coarse sand is ideal. The preferred soil pH should be neutral to slightly acidic, around 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingGarden Cosmos typically do not require frequent repotting as they are annuals. Generally, you plant them directly in the garden or pot them once, and they'll live out their lifespan without the need for repotting. If started in containers, they can be planted out after the danger of frost has passed.
Humidity & MistingGarden Cosmos are not particularly humidity sensitive and can thrive in a range of humidity conditions typical of outdoor environments. They do not require a specific humidity level, but they prefer conditions that are not too humid to avoid foliar diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light, well-drained soil; avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Full sun, fertile well-draining soil, moderate watering.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White', commonly known as Garden Cosmos, starts its life as a seed which, when sown in spring after the last frost, will germinate within 7-14 days in warm, moist soil. The seedling emerges with its first set of true leaves and begins to establish a root system. As it grows, the plant develops a tall, sturdy stem with finely divided leaves, and after several weeks, it begins to produce buds. These buds bloom into the characteristic large, daisy-like white flowers of the Casanova White variety, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Following pollination, the flowers set seeds that mature, completing the cycle as the plant eventually dies back in late autumn after frost. The seeds can be collected for planting next season or allowed to self-sow, continuing the life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Cosmos, including the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Casanova White', is through seed sowing. The optimal time for sowing seeds is usually in early spring, after the last frost has passed, to allow for an extended growing season. The seeds are typically scattered lightly onto the surface of a well-draining soil mix in either a seed tray or directly in the garden where you want them to grow. It is important not to cover the seeds with soil as they need light to germinate effectively. Keep the soil moist but not overly wet, and within 7 to 10 days, you should see the seeds beginning to sprout. Thin the seedlings if needed to allow each plant enough space to grow well. This technique is favored because Cosmos seeds are hearty, and the plants typically grow quickly and easily from seed, offering a bloom in the same year the seeds are sown.
