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Yellow Cosmos

Cosmos sulphureus

Also listed as Bidens sulphurea, Bidens artemisiifolia

Also known as Sulfur Cosmos, Sulphur Cosmos, Orange Cosmos

herbaceous☀️ full sun💧 low water❄ Hardy: Zone 3a – Zone 11b

Climate Match for your location

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Yellow Cosmos is a warm-season annual or tender perennial with delicate, feathery foliage and bright golden-yellow flowers that bloom prolifically from summer through fall. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.

Why grow it

Yellow Cosmos differs from its orange and pink relatives (Cosmos bipinnatus) in preferring even hotter, drier conditions with greater heat tolerance and lower water needs once established. It flowers prolifically with minimal deadheading compared to some ornamental annuals, making it useful for low-input gardens in arid or semi-arid regions. The fine foliage and cheerful yellow blooms extend color into fall when many warm-season plants fade.

Watch out for

In humid climates or with excessive watering, plants may develop powdery mildew or root rot, so allow soil to dry between waterings. Self-seeding can be prolific in favorable conditions, requiring management if you wish to prevent volunteer seedlings the following season.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
fast
Size
1.5–3′ tall × 1–1.5′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Asteraceae
Pollinators & beneficial insects

Native Range

Mexico

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SummerFall

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Companion Planting

Plants well with