Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White' (Cupcakes Series)
ABOUT
Cosmos 'Cupcakes White' is an enchanting flower that captures attention with its unique and delightful bloom shape. The flowers are characterized by their pure white petals that are fused together, creating a cup or bowl-like form that resembles a cupcake wrapper. This whimsical shape gives it the appearance of having a single large bloom with frilled edges, which forms a striking contrast against the dark green, delicate ferny foliage. The leaves are finely divided, imparting an airy texture to the plant. The flowers stand out with their bright yellow centers, which attract a variety of pollinators to the garden. Overall, Cosmos 'Cupcakes White' has a soft, ethereal look that adds a touch of whimsy and elegance to any garden space where color size isn't the focal point.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cupcakes White Cosmos
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White'
ToxicityTo humans
Cosmos, the common name for Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White', is generally regarded as a non-toxic plant to humans. There are no significant reports of toxicity or poisonous effects from ingesting this plant. Consequently, it does not typically pose a risk of poisoning, and there are no known symptoms associated with the ingestion of Cosmos by humans.
To pets
Cosmos, also known as garden cosmos, is not toxic to pets. This means that ingestion of Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White' by cats, dogs, or other household pets is not expected to cause any significant symptoms of poisoning. As a non-toxic plant, its ingestion should not result in any serious consequences for pets.
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
2-11
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White' draws in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to enhance pollination in your garden.
- Easy to Grow: It is well-known for being low maintenance and easy to cultivate, even for beginner gardeners.
- Long Blooming Season: This cosmos offers a prolonged display of flowers from early summer through the first frost, providing a consistent splash of color.
- Drought Tolerance: The plant has good drought resistance, making it ideal for gardens with limited water availability.
- Improves Garden Aesthetics: The unique ‘cupcake’ shape of its blossoms and delicate foliage adds an ornamental appeal to any garden or landscape.
- Suitable for Containers: It is compact enough to be grown in pots, making it versatile for patios and balconies.
- Can Be Used as Cut Flowers: The striking white flowers with their whimsical shape are excellent for creating eye-catching floral arrangements.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: Cosmos flowers are widely used in photography for their simple elegance and pure white petals, offering a delicate touch to various photo shoot themes.
- Bookmarks: Pressed and dried Cosmos petals can be used in making unique and natural bookmarks.
- Eco-friendly Confetti: The petals of the Cosmos flower can be dried and used as biodegradable confetti at celebrations.
- Creative Crafts: Petals and blooms can be incorporated into arts and crafts projects, such as homemade greeting cards or flower crowns.
- Culinary Garnish: The petals of Cosmos are edible and can be used to add a decorative touch to salads and desserts, though they're not commonly eaten.
- Natural Dye: The petals can be used to make a natural dye for fabrics or paper, yielding a range of soft colors.
- Seed Art: The seeds of Cosmos can be used in creating mosaic art or as a component in homemade jewelry.
- Garden Path Lining: Dried petals and flowers can line garden paths, decomposing naturally into the soil and adding to the aesthetic.
- Table Decorations: Fresh Cosmos flowers can serve as table centerpieces or decorations for weddings and other events, adding a romantic touch.
- Floral Bath: Petals can be added to bathwater for a luxurious, spa-like experience at home.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Cosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Cosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Harmony and Balance: The plant Cosmos, in general, is often associated with harmony and balance, which reflects its orderly, balanced structure and its place in a garden as an element that ties other plants together smoothly.
- Beauty in Simplicity: Cosmos flowers, with their simple yet elegant petals, represent the idea that beauty can be found in simplicity and that simplicity can often be the highest form of sophistication.
- Wholeness: The complete and rounded shape of the 'Cupcakes White' flower conveys a sense of wholeness and completeness, symbolizing an individual who is at peace with themselves and their environment.
- Modesty: Despite its striking appearance, Cosmos is not an overwhelmingly opulent flower, and thus it can symbolize modesty, unpretentiousness, and the charming nature of humility.
- Love and Affection: White flowers, including the 'Cupcakes White' Cosmos, often symbolize pure love and affection, making them an appropriate token for expressing sincere, platonic, or romantic feelings.
- Innocence: The color white in flowers generally signifies innocence and purity, and the 'Cupcakes White' Cosmos encapsulates these qualities, often being used in ceremonies and occasions symbolizing new beginnings.
- Freedom: The way Cosmos sway freely in the breeze can be symbolic of freedom and the spirit of independence, representing a free-flowing and unrestrained approach to life.
WaterCosmos, commonly known as Mexican Aster, should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the water to soak into the soil to encourage deep root growth. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water Mexican Aster twice a week. Apply approximately one gallon of water per plant each time you water, ensuring that the soil is moist but not soggy. Be cautious not to overwater, as this plant prefers a drier soil and overwatering can lead to root rot.
LightMexican Aster thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant is in an area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in shaded areas, as insufficient light can lead to poor blooming and a leggy growth habit.
TemperatureMexican Aster performs best in temperatures between 70°F and 90°F but can tolerate a range down to 25°F and up to about 100°F. The ideal growing conditions for Mexican Asters are warm days and cooler nights. However, sustained temperatures below freezing or extremely high temperatures for extended periods can damage the plant.
PruningPruning Mexican Aster is done to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more blooms. It is best to prune or deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season to stimulate new bloom production. Pruning can be done as needed when the plant appears leggy or after a flush of blooms has faded.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGarden Cosmos or Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White' thrives in a soil mix that is well-draining and moderately fertile, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A good recipe for potting mix would be a blend of two parts garden soil, one part peat moss or coco coir, and one part perlite or sand to ensure good drainage.
RepottingGarden Cosmos, particularly the 'Cupcakes White' variety, typically doesn't require frequent repotting as it is often grown as an annual. If growing in containers, replace the soil annually or repot every 2-3 years if the plant survives as a perennial in your climate.
Humidity & MistingThe Garden Cosmos 'Cupcakes White' is not particularly sensitive to humidity levels and can thrive in the average humidity found outdoors. High humidity is not required for this plant; it can tolerate a wide range of conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and well-draining soil mix.
Outdoor
Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, and space plants about 45cm apart.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCosmos 'Cupcakes White' begins its life as a seed, which, once sown, germinates in warm, moist soil within 7 to 14 days. The seedlings develop true leaves and, once they are large enough, can be transplanted into their final growing positions. Throughout the growing season, this annual plant experiences a vegetative stage where it produces ferny foliage on sturdy stems. Following the vegetative phase, 'Cupcakes White' enters the flowering stage, blooming with distinctive white, cup-shaped flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the plant sets seeds that mature over time, which can be collected before the first frost or allowed to self-sow. As an annual, 'Cupcakes White' completes its life cycle within one growing season, dying back after seed production, with the next generation beginning anew from the collected or self-sown seeds.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Cosmos, specifically Cosmos bipinnatus 'Cupcakes White' from the Cupcakes Series, is most commonly propagated through seeds. The ideal time to sow Cosmos seeds is in late winter to early spring, depending on the local climate and the last expected frost dates. The seeds should be planted at a shallow depth of about 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters) in a well-draining soil mix. They require a warm, sunny location to germinate effectively, which usually takes between 7 to 10 days at 75°F (around 24°C). Once the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to individual pots before ultimately moving them to their final garden location after all danger of frost has passed.
