Garden Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 'Peppermint Rock'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Cosmos 'Peppermint Rock' is a striking flowering plant known for its showy blossoms and feathery foliage. The flowers of 'Peppermint Rock' exhibit a captivating bicolored pattern with petals that are typically white or pale pink edged with deep magenta or pink streaks, resembling the swirling colors of peppermint candy. These blooms are arranged in a daisy-like fashion, with a central disc that is usually yellow or dark orange, encircled by the radiating colorful petals. The leaves of the Cosmos 'Peppermint Rock' are slender and finely divided, adding a delicate texture to the garden. They are arranged in an opposite fashion along the stems, which are themselves slender and often branch out gracefully, creating an airy, open structure. The plant’s foliage presents a bright green color that serves as a fresh backdrop for the eye-catching blossoms. Cosmos 'Peppermint Rock' presents a relaxed and informal appearance, with its loose clusters of flowers bobbing atop the stems with every gentle breeze. This variety brings a lively burst of color to any garden setting and is particularly favored for its characteristic pattern, making it a standout among other garden varieties.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Mexican Aster, Garden Cosmos, Cut-leaf Cosmos.
- Common names
  Cosmea bipinnata, Cosmos sulphureus, Bidens formosa, Coreopsis formosa.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Cosmos is generally considered to be a non-toxic plant to humans. Ingesting parts of the Cosmos plant typically does not result in poisoning or produce harmful effects. However, it's always a good idea to avoid consuming parts of ornamental plants due to the potential for individual allergic reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort.
- To pets
  Similar to its benign effects on humans, the Cosmos is also non-toxic to pets. It should not cause poisoning if pets ingest parts of the plant. Nonetheless, it is recommended to keep an eye on pets and discourage them from eating plants as a precaution and to prevent any possible stomach upset due to the consumption of non-food items.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- 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
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Cosmos bipinnatus 'Peppermint Rock', commonly known as Cosmos, showcases striking bi-colored flowers that enhance the beauty of any garden or floral arrangement.
- Bee and Butterfly Attractor: The vibrant flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of plants and healthy gardens.
- Easy to Grow: Cosmos plants are known for being low maintenance and easy to grow, making them ideal for both novice gardeners and experienced horticulturists.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, they are drought-resistant, requiring minimal watering and care, thus conserving water resources.
- Fast Growth: Cosmos have a quick growth rate, allowing gardeners to enjoy their blooms soon after planting.
- Long Blooming Season: They have a prolonged flowering period that lasts from early summer until frost, providing continuous color in the garden.
- Soil Adaptability: Cosmos are adaptable to a range of soil types, though they prefer well-drained soil, minimizing the need for soil amendments.
- Versatility in Use: These plants are suitable for garden beds, borders, and containers, making them versatile for different landscape designs.
- Edible Flowers: While not medically significant, the petals of Cosmos flowers are edible and can be used to add a decorative touch to salads and desserts.
- Seed Production: After blooming, Cosmos produce seeds that can be easily collected for planting the following season, perpetuating the lifecycle of the garden.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Cosmos can be used as a natural dye for fabrics; the flowers of some Cosmos species can be boiled to extract pigments for textile dyeing.
- The stems of Cosmos can be added to compost heaps as they decompose well and add valuable nutrients back into the soil.
- As a teaching tool in schools, Cosmos are often used to demonstrate the lifecycle of a plant from seed to flower and back to seed.
- Cosmos are used in science projects such as studying the effects of plant growth in different conditions (light, soil type, watering frequency, etc.).
- In art, the vibrant colors of Cosmos flowers can inspire paintings, drawings or be used directly as part of a natural collage material.
- Cosmos may serve as a temporary shelter for small beneficial insects like ladybugs, which in turn help control pest populations in gardens.
- The structure of Cosmos can be studied for biomimicry purposes, inspiring designs in architecture and engineering based on the efficiency of their form.
- During outdoor activities such as picnicking, Cosmos can be used as natural decoration to enhance the aesthetic of the setting.
- Photographers and filmmakers might use Cosmos fields as a stunning natural backdrop for photo shoots and film scenes.
- In culinary presentations, although not commonly eaten, Cosmos petals can be used as an edible garnish to add color to dishes.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Cosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Cosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love: Cosmos often symbolize love thanks to their bright and eye-catching flowers.
- Harmony and order: The plant's symmetrical blooms refer to the cosmos' balanced and orderly nature.
- Peace: The serene appearance of the Cosmos flowers evokes a sense of tranquility and peace.
- Innocence: With its delicate petals, Cosmos can represent purity and innocence.
- Beauty: The attractive form and colors of the Cosmos flowers symbolize aesthetic beauty and appreciation.
- Modesty: Despite its showy flowers, Cosmos plants have a simplicity about them, often associated with modesty.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Garden Cosmos prefers consistent moisture but does not do well with overwatering. It's best to water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which might be approximately once a week, depending on weather conditions. Use enough water during each watering session to soak the soil around the roots, which may be about one gallon for an established plant. Be cautious during rainy seasons, as additional watering may not be necessary. In very hot weather, you may need to water twice a week to maintain moisture.
Light
Garden Cosmos thrives in full sun, meaning it needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for these flowers would be an area that receives unobstructed sun throughout the day. If grown indoors, a south-facing window may provide the most light. However, these plants can tolerate partial shade, where they may receive filtered sunlight or direct sun for only a part of the day.
Temperature
Garden Cosmos can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grows best in conditions between 60°F and 90°F. The minimum temperature the plant can survive is just above freezing, while prolonged exposure to temperatures over 100°F may damage the plant. To promote vigorous growth and blooming, try to maintain an environment within the ideal temperature range during the growing season.
Pruning
Pruning Garden Cosmos encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Deadhead the plant by removing spent flowers regularly to extend the blooming period. You can also pinch out the tips of young plants to promote branching. The best time for major pruning is early to mid-summer when you can thin out overcrowding and cut back any leggy growth.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Garden Cosmos, or Cosmos bipinnatus 'Peppermint Rock', thrives best in well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0. The ideal soil mix should contain loamy or sandy soil enriched with compost to provide nutrients. A simple mix can be made by combining two parts garden soil, one part peat moss or coco coir, and one part perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage.
Repotting
Garden Cosmos generally do not require frequent repotting since they are annuals and complete their lifecycle within a year. If grown in containers, repotting may be done annually at the beginning of the growing season into a slightly larger pot to provide fresh soil and nutrients.
Humidity & Misting
Garden Cosmos are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but prefer conditions that are not excessively humid. Average room humidity or outdoor ambient humidity is generally sufficient for these flowers.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  For indoor Garden Cosmos, ensure bright light, well-draining soil, and moderate watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant Garden Cosmos in sunny spot, moderate water, well-draining soil, and protect from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  2-11 USDA
Life cycle
Cosmos bipinnatus, commonly known as garden cosmos or Mexican aster, begins its life cycle as a seed which germinates in warm soil with plenty of sunlight. After germination, seedlings emerge and establish a root system, followed by the growth of bipinnate leaves which characterize the seedling stage. As the plant matures, it develops a strong stem and more complex leaf structures, entering the vegetative stage. During the flowering stage, the plant produces distinctive flowers with a peppermint-like color variation that attract pollinators and are followed by the development of seed heads. Seeds from the mature plant are then dispersed by wind or other means, ready to begin a new life cycle if conditions are favorable. The plant may die back after seeding, especially if exposed to first frosts, completing its annual life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Cosmos, specifically the variety Cosmos bipinnatus 'Peppermint Rock', is commonly propagated through seeds. The best time for sowing these seeds is in early spring, after the last frost when the soil has begun to warm up. To propagate cosmos from seeds, one simply needs to scatter the seeds thinly onto well-draining soil and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil—no more than 1/4 inch deep. Seeds typically germinate within 7 to 10 days if they are kept moist and in a location with plenty of sunlight. Once seedlings have a few sets of true leaves and have reached a height of about 3 inches, they can be thinned out to provide enough space for individual plants to grow, or they can be transplanted to their desired position in the garden. Cosmos prefer to grow in a spot with full sunlight and are quite drought-tolerant once they are established, making them a low-maintenance option for summer blooms.