Celosia in Zone 5a & 5b
Celosia argentea
When to plant celosia in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Celosia tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 5–Aug 12 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2.5 ft.
Celosia is a dense, upright bloomer (either the crested "brain" type or the feathery plume type) that handles heat and drought well once it's up and growing, making it one of the more forgiving flowers on this list.
How celosia fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Celosia needs about 80 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Celosia.
Where to buy celosia seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing celosia" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Celosia in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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