Celosia argentea has upright red, orange, pink, and purple flower plumes among broad green leaves

Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group)

Developed from a species native to tropical Africa, this annual herb in the amaranth family grows up to about 3 feet tall. Its tiny flowers form dense, feathery plumes in red, orange, pink, yellow, purple, or cream. The long-lasting heads are useful for cut and dried arrangements, and young leaves and flowers are edible. In Singapore, it is commonly displayed during Lunar New Year. Plants are propagated from seed. The species is naturalized in Colombia and considered invasive in China. Photographed in Panama and Florida.

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Orange and yellow Celosia argentea flower plumes stand above green leaves beside a dark red plume

A dense pink Celosia argentea flower plume rises among pointed green leaves

Cream-colored Celosia argentea flower plumes spread below taller red plumes among green leaves

A bright orange Celosia argentea flower plume has spreading feathery branches beside a yellow plume

Cream and red Celosia argentea flower plumes rise above green leaves with an orange plume behind

A slender red Celosia argentea flower plume rises among green leaves and other colorful plumes

A yellow Celosia argentea flower plume has narrow ascending branches among green leaves

A dense purple Celosia argentea flower plume rises beside bright green leaves

An upright orange Celosia argentea flower plume stands among green leaves and darker plumes

A dark red Celosia argentea flower plume rises above reddish-purple leaves

Red and yellow Celosia argentea flower plumes fill a garden bed beside smaller pink and white flowers

A garden bed has upright red and yellow Celosia argentea flower plumes among green leaves and pink flowers