Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Dragon's Breath'

RHS Plant Profile
cockscomb 'Dragon's breath'

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cockscomb 'Dragon's breath' John Fielding

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Annual Biennial

Upright, bushy perennial plant to 60cm tall, grown as an annual, with bright-red flowers produced in open, feathery pyramidal flowerheads to 25cm long, above large dark-red leaves

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Celosia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple or lobed, alternate leaves and tiny, brightly coloured flowers in large, plume-like inflorescences. Many garden selections are closely related to C. argentea
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Annual that can be grown outside once frosts have passed. Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with good ventilation. Outdoors, plant in moist but well-drained fertile soil in full sun in a sheltered position. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks. See celosia trial 2026

Propagation

Propagate by seed in early or late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Bedding
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and aphids under glass

Diseases

Foot and root rot and fungal leaf spot diseases may occur