Cosmos bipinnatus

Cosmos bipinnatus (cosmos) — an airy, easy, generous Mexican annual named by missionaries for its orderly petals; a top cut flower and pollinator favourite. The botanical home of our cosmos range.

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Cosmos bipinnatus — the cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus is the botanical name for the garden cosmos, an airy, free-flowering annual that has become one of the easiest and most generous cut flowers of all. It is the species behind our cosmos range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Cosmos is native to Mexico, and it was Spanish missionaries who gave it its name: struck by the neat, evenly spaced petals, they called it cosmos, from the Greek for order, harmony and beauty — the same root as our word for the ordered universe. Easy, elegant and quick from seed, it spread rapidly into gardens around the world.

The species name bipinnatus describes the foliage: “twice pinnate,” for the fine, feathery, ferny leaves.

Botanical characteristics

A tall, billowing annual reaching well over a metre, cosmos carries large, simple, saucer-shaped flowers in pink, white, crimson and bicolours above a cloud of delicate foliage. The open blooms are superb for bees, butterflies and hoverflies, making it a favourite among our pollinator and bee-friendly flowers, while its long stems and long vase life make it a cut-flower staple.

Growing Cosmos bipinnatus from seed

Cosmos is wonderfully easy and thrives on a little neglect — too rich a soil gives leaves at the expense of flowers. Sow under cover in spring or direct once it is warm, give it full sun, and keep cutting or deadheading to fuel months of bloom right up to the frosts. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow cosmos? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Cosmos · Cut Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · Bee-Friendly Flowers · All Flower Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cosmos bipinnatus?
It is the garden cosmos, an easy, airy annual grown as a cut flower.

Where does cosmos originate?
From Mexico.

What does the name mean?
“Cosmos” is Greek for order and beauty, after the tidy petals; bipinnatus describes the feathery foliage.

Is cosmos good for pollinators?
Yes — the open flowers are loved by bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

How do I grow it?
Sow in spring or direct when warm, in full sun and not-too-rich soil, and keep cutting.