Celosia, often called Cockscomb, Plume, or Wheat Celosia, is a stunning annual plant known for its vibrant, long-lasting flowers. These plants belong to the amaranth family and display unique flower head shapes, including the crested appearance of Cockscomb varieties and the feathery towers of Plume types. The simple answer to whether you should remove the fading flowers is a definite yes. This practice, known as deadheading, is highly recommended to encourage continuous blooming throughout the growing season by physically removing spent or dying flower heads.
The Benefits of Removing Spent Blooms
Removing fading flowers manipulates the plant’s natural reproductive drive. A plant’s biological goal is to produce mature seeds, and once a flower is pollinated, it shifts energy resources into seed development. By removing the spent flower, you prevent the plant from setting seed, effectively tricking it into redirecting its focus. This causes the plant to switch its metabolism back toward vegetative growth and the formation of new flowering structures. Instead of supporting seed heads, the plant uses that energy to push out lateral branches and new buds, resulting in a significantly extended flowering period until the first hard frost.
Aesthetically, deadheading maintains the plant’s tidy and vibrant appearance. Celosia flowers look messy and discolored as they begin to dry out and brown, detracting from the overall display. Removing these fading structures also prevents the plant from self-seeding excessively, which avoids a dense, overcrowded garden bed of unwanted seedlings the following year.
Precise Techniques for Deadheading Celosia
The method for deadheading Celosia depends slightly on the variety, but the underlying principle is consistent. For Plume Celosia varieties, which have tall, feathery spikes, the process involves cutting the entire stalk. Trace the spent flower stalk down to the first set of healthy, full leaves or to a new side shoot forming below the faded bloom. Making the cut at this point encourages the growth of side shoots that will develop into new flowers.
For crested Cockscomb varieties, which feature dense, brain-like flower heads, the technique is similar. While some giant Cockscomb varieties are “one-and-done” bloomers, removing the fading crest usually stimulates lateral branching and smaller subsequent blooms. Always use clean, sharp tools, such as small pruning snips or scissors, to make a clean cut. If the stems are tender, you can simply pinch off the spent bloom just above the next viable growth point or healthy node.
Allowing Blooms to Go to Seed
While deadheading promotes a longer bloom time, gardeners may choose to stop the practice late in the summer or early fall to allow the plants to self-sow or to collect seeds. This allows the plant to complete its reproductive cycle and mature its seed heads. Mature seed heads are identified by their dry, brittle texture and noticeable browning.
Celosia seeds are numerous and develop within the papery bracts of the drying flower head. The best time to harvest is on a dry day when the seed heads are completely desiccated. To collect them, cut the entire dried flower head and place it in a container. The seeds will fall out readily when the flower head is gently shaken or rubbed. Store the collected seeds in a cool, dry, and dark location until the following spring.