Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza'
ABOUT
Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza', commonly known as the Cosmos, boasts a captivating display of rich, deep ruby-red flowers that transition into warmer, antique rose shades as they mature. Each flower is composed of a central disc, often in a contrasting yellow or golden hue, which is surrounded by a ring of velvety, radiating petals. These broad and smooth petals exhibit a striking, velvety texture that adds to the plant's overall allure. The flowers emerge atop slender, graceful stems that sway gently in the breeze, while the foliage beneath is composed of finely divided, feathery leaves that are a fresh, bright green color. The leaves are bipinnate, meaning they are split into smaller leaflets, giving the foliage an airy and delicate appearance that contrasts beautifully with the fullness of the blooms. Cosmos 'Rubenza' features a symmetrical and daisy-like flower form, which is characteristic of the Cosmos family. The blooms create a stunning visual impact when clustered together in masses, and they are known not only for their beauty but also for their ability to attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The overall aesthetic of Cosmos 'Rubenza' is one of casual elegance and natural charm. It's a plant that can be a focal point of a garden display or provide a burst of deep, rich color amongst a mixed border of flowering plants. Even as individual cut flowers, they carry their elegance and can bring a touch of the outdoors inside with their simple, yet sophisticated beauty.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Garden Cosmos, Mexican Aster, Chocolate Cosmos.
Common names
Cosmos bipinnatus.
ToxicityTo humans
Cosmos, including the variety Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from the ingestion of Cosmos by humans. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities can occur. If any part of the plant is ingested in large quantities, it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or irritation, but significant toxic effects are not expected.
To pets
Cosmos, including the variety Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza', is typically considered non-toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. There's no substantial evidence pointing to any part of the Cosmos plant causing poisoning in pets. However, just like in humans, individual animals may experience sensitivity or an allergic reaction. Should a pet ingest a large amount of the plant, mild gastrointestinal upset could possibly occur, but serious toxicity is unlikely.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Burgundy
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 'Rubenza' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which is crucial for pollination and maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the garden.
- Easy to grow: This plant is recognized for its low maintenance requirements, thriving in a variety of soil conditions, and being relatively drought-tolerant once established.
- Long blooming season: The Cosmos 'Rubenza' offers a long flowering period from mid-summer until the first frosts, providing ongoing color and vibrancy in the garden.
- Aesthetic appeal: With its distinctive deep ruby-red flowers, Cosmos 'Rubenza' adds a splash of color that can enhance the visual appeal of any garden space.
- Ideal for cut flowers: The stems and flowers of Cosmos 'Rubenza' hold up well when cut, making them a perfect choice for fresh bouquets and floral arrangements.
- Companion planting: This cosmos variety can be used in companion planting to help deter pests and enhance the growth of nearby plants due to its attractiveness to beneficial insects.
- Easy to propagate: Gardeners can easily collect seeds from Cosmos 'Rubenza' at the end of the season for planting the following year, making it a cost-effective addition to the garden.
- Enhances biodiversity: By attracting a range of pollinators, Cosmos 'Rubenza' helps support local biodiversity and contribute to the health of the surrounding environment.
- Fast growth: Cosmos 'Rubenza' has a relatively quick growth cycle, allowing gardeners to see results soon after planting seeds.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cosmos flowers can be used in companion planting to attract beneficial insects, such as lady beetles and lacewings, which help control pest populations in the garden.
- The tall and sturdy stems of Cosmos flowers make them ideal for creating natural supports for climbing plants or vegetables like peas and beans.
- Dried Cosmos flowers can be used in potpourri mixtures to add color and a mild, pleasant fragrance to your home.
- They can serve as a colorful mulch alternative; after the flowers fade, you can spread the petals around other plants to add visual interest and retain soil moisture.
- Cosmos petals can be used in natural dyeing processes to impart a range of pink and orange hues to fabrics, yarns, and papers.
- The flowers can be pressed and used in decorative crafts, such as bookmarks, greeting cards, or in framed botanical art.
- Cosmos create a picturesque setting and are great for outdoor photography backdrops, such as garden photography or portrait sessions.
- They can be used as a living fence or border to define areas in your garden and create a natural partition.
- The flower heads of Cosmos can be floated in water to create a simple and elegant water feature in birdbaths or shallow bowls.
- Children can use fallen Cosmos petals for educational craft activities, such as learning about symmetry, colors, and plant structure.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiCosmos is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityCosmos is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Love - The Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza', commonly known as Cosmos, often signifies love in its blossoming form, much like the open and generous spread of its petals.
- Beauty - With its striking dark red petals, Cosmos embodies aesthetic charm and the appreciation of beauty.
- Harmony - The balanced and symmetrical shape of the Cosmos flower reflects harmony and order in the universe.
- Modesty - Despite its bold color, the delicate structure of Cosmos can represent modesty or understated elegance.
- Peace - The simple and unassuming nature of the flower is often associated with tranquility and peace.
- Innocence - Cosmos flowers may also symbolize purity and innocence, akin to many other light-colored blossoms.
- Wholeness - The circular arrangement of Cosmos petals is sometimes seen as a symbol of wholeness and unity.
WaterThe Cosmos, often called 'Garden Cosmos', requires moderate but regular watering, especially during long dry spells. Water enough to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering as Cosmos prefers well-drained soil. Typically, this would equate to about an inch of water per week, which comes to roughly 0.623 gallons for a standard 10 square feet area. During hotter weeks, watering may need to be increased slightly. It's best to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases.
LightThe Garden Cosmos thrives in full sunlight, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. A spot in the garden that receives unhindered sunlight for most of the day is ideal. They can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates, but full sun is best for robust growth and optimal flowering.
TemperatureGarden Cosmos performs well in a range of temperatures but prefers a milder range of 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and are somewhat heat-tolerant, but prolonged temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit may impact their blooming. The ideal conditions for robust growth include days that are warm and nights that are cool.
PruningPruning Garden Cosmos is generally carried out to encourage bushier growth and more blooms or to remove spent flowers, which is known as deadheading. Pruning is not strictly necessary, but pinching off the tops of young plants can promote more side growth. Regular deadheading of faded blooms can prolong the flowering season. The best time for pruning is throughout the blooming season, which can last from summer into fall.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCosmos, also known as Garden Cosmos, thrive in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.5. A good mix can be made using equal parts garden soil, peat, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage. Moderately fertile soil is preferable as too much fertility can lead to more foliage than flowers.
RepottingGarden Cosmos, do not generally require repotting as they are annuals. They complete their life cycle in one season and are typically sown directly where they are to flower or started in pots and transplanted only once.
Humidity & MistingGarden Cosmos are not particularly humidity-sensitive and can thrive in average ambient humidity levels. They do well in outdoor conditions where they are exposed to the natural variations in humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a sunny spot with good airflow to grow Garden Cosmos indoors.
Outdoor
Plant Garden Cosmos in a sunny area with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
2-11 USDA
Life cycleCosmos 'Rubenza', commonly known as Cosmos, begins its life as a hardy seed that is often sown directly into the ground after the last frost has passed, as it requires a warm, sunny location to germinate. Germination unfolds within 7-10 days at the appropriate temperature, leading to the sprouting of seedlings that develop true leaves after the initial cotyledons emerge. As the seedlings grow, they form bushy, upright plants with finely divided, feathery foliage, and begin to bud. The plant reaches its flowering stage within about 7 weeks from seed sowing, producing its distinctive deep ruby-red blossoms that gradually lighten at the edges as they mature. The flowering period continues from midsummer until the first fall frost, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden. After flowering, the plant sets seeds that can be collected for future propagation or left to self-sow, completing its annual life cycle with the onset of cold weather which causes the plant to die back.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
Cosmos, specifically Cosmos bipinnatus 'Rubenza', is most commonly propagated through seeds. Seed propagation is ideally done in the spring after the last frost when the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). To propagate, scatter the seeds on top of a well-draining soil mix and lightly press them down or cover with a thin layer of soil, as Cosmos seeds need some light to germinate. Keep the soil moist until germination, which typically takes 7 to 10 days. Once the seedlings have developed their second set of leaves, they can be thinned out or transplanted to give each plant enough space to grow. Seedlings are best transplanted outdoors after they've grown strong enough to withstand outdoor conditions, particularly wind and direct sunlight.
