Celosia in Zone 5a & 5b
Celosia argentea
Yes, celosia grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 22–Mar 29 and plant out May 17–May 24.
When to plant celosia in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| 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.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of celosia in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 17–May 24
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 17–May 24
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 17–May 24
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 17–May 24
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 bloom.
Celosia planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 13–May 20 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Feb–Apr | Apr–Jun | ~80 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for celosia.
Where to buy celosia seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's celosia seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Fresh Look series: A 2007 All-America Selections Flower Winner. AAS trials across North America found it heat, humidity, and rain tolerant, needing no deadheading, with plumes that stay colorful all season rather than browning with maturity, a low-maintenance pick. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
- New Look: A base-branching, dark-foliage type with large scarlet plumes that AAS notes hold their intense color longer than other celosia types. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
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 · 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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