Flower Library
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus · Korbblütler (Asteraceae)
Cosmos, also known as the Mexican aster, is one of the most charming summer flowers of all: delicate, bowl-shaped blooms on long, finely feathered stems that sway in the slightest breeze. It instantly lends an airy, meadow-like lightness to any bouquet. Because we source it in top quality directly at the Veiling Rhein-Maas, our cosmos often stays fresh longer than you would expect from such a delicate flower.
- Season
- June – July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 5–9 days
- Latin name
- Cosmos bipinnatus
- Colors
- White, Pink, Magenta, Crimson, Cerise, Bicolour (picotee)
Botanically, cosmos belongs to the daisy family. What looks like a single bloom is in fact a flower head made up of large ray florets around the edge and a dense yellow disc in the centre. In the classic single varieties, eight broad petals frame the middle; double-flowered cultivars look fuller and more romantic. The stems are remarkably long and supple, and the finely divided foliage is reminiscent of feathers or dill.
In floristry we value cosmos above all as a movement flower. It does not fill a bouquet with mass but adds air, height and a natural disorder that makes arrangements feel alive rather than stiff. It is ideal for loose, seasonal summer bouquets, romantic garden-style bridal work and anything meant to evoke meadow, lightness and summer.
There is a rich choice of varieties. The Sensation series produces large blooms on long stems, perfect for tall vases. Sonata is more compact with broad petals in white, pink and cherry red. Double-flowered types such as Double Click or the elegantly rolled cupcake forms add special accents, and picotee varieties charm with white blooms edged in fine pink. From pure white to deep magenta, the range covers almost any colour mood.
Cosmos combines beautifully with anything that underlines its meadow-like character. Grasses, gypsophila, dahlias, zinnias, cornflowers and delicate umbellifers create classic summer images alongside it. For a monochrome look, simply mass white cosmos generously. The only thing that matters is to give the flower room, because its effect comes from movement rather than density.
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife and place them immediately in clean, lukewarm water.
- 02Remove the lower leaves so no foliage sits in the water and the water stays clear.
- 03Cosmos drinks a lot: keep the vase well filled and change the water every one to two days.
- 04Display it cool and out of direct sun, away from heaters, fruit bowls and draughts.
- 05Pluck out spent heads regularly so the remaining buds open more readily.
- 06Cosmos lasts longest when cut just as the first petals begin to open.
Frequently asked
- How long does cosmos last in the vase?
- Single varieties usually last five to nine days, while double types such as Double Click are a little shorter-lived. Fresh water, a clean cut and a cool spot are decisive. With our A1 quality from the Veiling you reliably reach the upper end of that range.
- Is cosmos toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- Cosmos is considered non-toxic and is therefore unproblematic in households with families or pets. Even so, as with all cut flowers, vase water and plant parts do not belong in the mouth, and nibbling pets or small children should not chew on the stems.
- When are cosmos in season?
- As a classic summer flower, cosmos blooms from June well into October and is available as a cut flower during that time. It is a genuine seasonal flower and belongs to high summer like few others. It is not available in winter.
- Why do cosmos often droop their heads after a short time?
- Cosmos has relatively soft, water-rich stems and reacts sensitively to a lack of water. If you keep the vase well filled, recut the stems and stand them in a cool spot, the heads droop far less. Locations that are too warm and old, cloudy water are the most common cause.