Why Aren’t My Cosmos Blooming?

Cosmos flowers are easy-to-grow, bright, and cheerful annual flowers, but they need a few requirements to keep blooming all season long. Join organic farmer Jenna Rich for issues that might be causing your cosmos to fail and how to avoid them this season.

Vibrant orange cosmos bloom, slender stems swaying gracefully in the breeze, offering a striking contrast against the verdant backdrop of lush foliage in the garden.

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Cosmos have always been a farm favorite for us. I dare you to look at them and try not to smile. Their consistently bright and cheerful pinks and bright whites visually delight us and keep our local pollinators happy. 

These annual flowers are relatively easy to grow and perfect for beginners. Their range of white, pink, and magenta will complement all garden styles, and they don’t mind much about soil type or fertility. Plant them along borders, in containers, or around your vegetables for simple beauty, height, and airiness. 

A lack of blooms in the garden can be frustrating when you planned and hoped for a flower-filled summer! Let’s get into some possible issues that may be causing your cosmos not to bloom and how to avoid each one. 

Sensation Blend Cosmos

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Sensation Blend Cosmos Seeds

Double Click Blend Cosmos

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Bright Lights Blend Cosmos

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Bright Lights Blend Cosmos Seeds

The Short Answer

Cosmos is one of the first seeds I directly sow in my garden each year and the last annual plant flowering when the first fall frost arrives. However, less-than-ideal conditions may cause failure to bloom. Keep reading if you’re wondering what’s happening with your cosmos plants and how to help them get their groove back.

The Detailed Answer 

Orange cosmos flowers contrast against verdant foliage, soaking in radiant sunlight, creating a picturesque scene of natural beauty and tranquility.
The plants may fail to bloom due to specific issues that require targeted remedies.

Cosmos are easy to grow and low-maintenance, but they have their needs. Here are a few issues that might be causing your cosmos not to bloom and remedies to fix them. 

Not Enough Sunlight 

pink gloria flowers in shade
Provide some shade in extremely sunny southern regions.

Cosmos thrive in full sun. Plant them in an area that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. That said, if you live in a southern region where the sun is constant and harsh, your cosmos will appreciate some dappled sun or shade. Use shade cloth or plant them under the light shade of other plants to offer them added protection. 

Transplant Shock

A close-up of a transparent seedling tray displays dark, moist soil, ready for planting, promising growth and vitality in the coming days, a canvas for life's green beginnings.
Harden seedlings for several days before transplanting to acclimate them to outside conditions.

Cosmos are simple to start indoors from seed. Seeds are large and easy to work with, and germination rates are typically very high. However, you must ensure the plants don’t become rootbound so don’t sow seeds earlier than three to four weeks before transplanting them.

Check the weather forecast and ensure garden space is ready and available for them. If they sit in cell trays too long, they may become stressed, which can have effects that last all season, including double blooms reverting to single blooms. You may also notice them prematurely producing flowers when they’re short and immature.

Harden them off properly for several days to a week before transplanting so they acclimate to outside weather conditions. If there are no negative symptoms after this period, proceed with transplanting. 

Transplant cosmos in the early part of a warm but mostly cloudy day to avoid harsh sun and heat. Give seedlings a good drink of water and then gently coax them out of their cells. Create a small hole using a dibbler, a trowel, or your hand. Drop one seedling in each hole so the root ball is completely protected and the top is level with the soil surface. Fill in the hole with native soil, tamp it down, and water it in. 

Over-Fertilization

A close-up of a purple cosmos flower with a sunny yellow center, its delicate petals softly unfurling against a backdrop of blurred foliage, revealing a cluster of other blossoms in the distance.
Use low-nitrogen fertilizers and apply sparingly when planting.

If you’ve ever spent all season tending to a plant only to receive lush foliage with no blooms, you may be over-fertilizing. Feed cosmos at the time of planting. Start with the low end of the recommended dose and add fertilizer into the planting medium when sowing seeds. Look for fertilizers low in nitrogen to promote a healthy, continuous blooming season.

Over-fertilizing can lead to extremely tall plants with few to no blooms that may topple over! 

Under-Fertilization

A wilted purple cosmos flower stands out against a background of blurry green foliage, illuminated by the golden rays of the sun, casting a serene ambiance over the scene.
Container-grown cosmos need regular feeding every 3-4 weeks.

While cosmos don’t require highly nutritious soil, they need some nutrients. Test your soil If you notice lots of lush foliage but no blooms. This will give you an idea of a baseline and recommendations for general treatments to balance it. A good place to start is bone meal, which is high in phosphorus and calcium. 

Cosmos grown in containers, like most plants and flowers, will require more nutrients as they have a fixed amount of soil to root around in. Feed container cosmos at planting and every three to four weeks or as recommended on the fertilizer packaging. Cut back your fertilizing if you notice the flower production slowing down so the plant can work through what’s in the soil. Take note of the timing for next season and adjust as needed. 

Overly Rich Soil

A close-up reveals hands coated in dirt, gently embracing rich, damp soil, nurturing potential life with its darkness and moisture, promising growth and vitality in its depths.
The plants thrive in moderately poor to poor soil.

This may sound odd as most plants are particular about their soil type and levels of nutrients, but cosmos perform well in moderately poor to poor soil. This is great news if you’re starting a new garden plot in poor soil but still want the joys of a low-maintenance, beautiful garden. 

Clay or Heavy Soil

Sunlight streaming over a clay soil, highlighting its earthy tones and texture, creating intricate shadows and patterns, capturing the warmth and richness of the land under the bright, golden rays.
Adding compost and worm castings improves soil consistency and drainage.

Cosmos prefer soil that is somewhat loose in consistency. Add compost to assist with drainage and practice broadforking. Incorporating worm castings may enrich your soil and adjust the tilth of your soil. 

Overwatered

Cosmos seedlings soak up water droplets, their miniature stems reaching out for sustenance, a delicate dance of growth and nourishment in the glistening moisture.
Use drip lines to channel water directly to the roots.

Water direct sown cosmos regularly until germination and as seedlings grow and establish. Pull back once they start to flower. Add drip lines to control the flow and direct the water to the roots. Water them regularly about an inch per week or as needed

Underwatered

A close-up of a fading purple cosmos, its petals drooping sadly amidst blurred stems and another flower in the background, portraying the beauty of wilting nature.
Monitor plant condition closely during dry spells to prevent weakening.

Cosmos are fairly drought-tolerant once they’re established. However, do not allow them to completely dry out. To prepare seedlings for transplant, limit water during the hardening-off period to get them used to receiving less water. 

Stems, branches, and blooms will weaken and droop if they need water. There is a point of no return, so keep your eye on them during extended periods of dry and drought-like conditions. 

Weed Competition

A person wearing black boots meticulously rakes through the rich, dark soil, tending to the garden with care and precision, preparing it for planting and nurturing vibrant life to flourish.
Supporting tiny weeds in their early days is critical for their success against towering blooms.

Prepare a stale seedbed before direct sowing cosmos so they don’t have competition during the emergence phase. Cultivate shortly after they germinate and every few weeks to keep the weed pressure down. The towering blooms will begin to shade out tiny weeds that germinate, but helping them out in the early days is critical for their success. 

No Support

A garden bed bursting with cosmos plants, cradled by plastic netting, offering support to the delicate stems as they sway gracefully in the gentle breeze.
Pruning seedlings at four to eight inches encourages bushier growth.

Cosmos make an amazing border flower because they’re tall, whimsical, and full of gorgeous blooms. When planted in a standalone garden, they may topple over and cease to bloom. Tall cosmos varieties will perform best when planted in the back of an annual garden against a fence line or shrub line. This will help them stand up when strong winds and rain occur. 

Pinch your seedlings at four to eight inches to encourage bushing out. This will also create a stronger base, help them stand up better, and produce more foliage and buds. 

Lack of Deadheading

A garden bed hosts various plants, each showcasing unique colors and textures, while a cosmos plant stands out, adorned with delicate white flowers, adding an ethereal touch to the scene.
Refreshing cosmos plants can help revive them even after neglect.

Deadheading is a sure way to keep your cosmos plants producing buds and flowers all season. Simply snip off spent flowers regularly to encourage new, fresh blooms. Do this by harvesting them to use in bouquets or clipping them back and discarding them into the compost. 

Cosmo plants can be neglected and bounce back just fine. If there is a large amount of drooped, dried, or spent flowers, simply chop them down. While typically used on perennials, cosmos may benefit from a total refresh by performing the Chelsea chop

Disease

A close-up of a brown cosmos flower seedhead, surrounded by a soft, blurred background of gently swaying green stems, creating a serene and delicate botanical scene.
Prevent common plant diseases by maintaining a clean garden with good airflow.

If you’ve confirmed your plants are adequately watered, did not experience transplant shock, and have been properly cared for in general, but you notice issues like deformities, lack of blooms, or yellowing, you may suspect a disease is present

Aster yellows, blight, and powdery mildew are likely suspects. Look for yellowing or browning flowers, deformities, and white fuzz on the petals, stems, and foliage. Keep a sanitary garden, avoid overhead watering, and ensure proper spacing, circulation, and airflow to decrease humidity between plants and create an environment where these diseases can thrive. 

Pests

Aphids, Japanese beetles, and cucumber beetles are the most common pests of cosmos plants, and they can do quite a number on them

Aphids

A close-up of a white cosmos flower with a vibrant yellow center, highlighting a small green aphid perched delicately on one of its petals.
Ants are attracted to aphids because of the sweet honeydew they produce.

If you notice ants on your plants, you may have aphids. They’re attracted to the sweet honeydew substance aphids produce and leave behind. In return, the ants offer the aphids protection

Japanese beetles

A Japanese beetle with a metallic green and copper body is perched on a leaf, chewing through the foliage with its mandibles.
Installing Japanese beetle traps significantly reduces crop damage.

I finally caved two seasons ago and installed several Japanese beetle traps around our farm, and it has drastically helped decrease damage on multiple crops

Cucumber beetles

A close-up captures a yellow-green cucumber beetle with black spots, meticulously consuming the petals of a purple flower, showcasing its intricate details and natural colors.
Pest insects rapidly consume leaves and spread bacterial wilt.

These tiny spotted or striped devils work quickly, reproduce often, and eat more leaves than you think possible. They can turn a plot of cucumbers, cosmos, or greens into a skeleton patch overnight. Use insect netting to keep them off your plants. Avoid killing them on your plants to reduce the risk of spreading bacterial wilt. They carry this disease in their gut and it’s easily spread. 

Final Thoughts 

With a little TLC and research, cosmos are a charming, prolific annual flower to grow. They readily self-seed, can be started indoors or directly sown in your garden, and complement most garden styles well. I hope you learned something from this article that will help you keep your cosmos blooming and your gardens thriving

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