Dragon's Breath® Celosia

Like crimson flames from a dragon’s mouth, Dragon’s Breath® Celosia’s fiery-red plumes flow from a mass of reddish-green foliage. Also known as Celosia argentea var. cristata, this annual shrub features extra-large flowers that bloom throughout summer and fall. Dragon’s Breath® adores heat and sun and its vivid flowers and ovate leaves look great in the heat of the summer; snip them to make sophisticated bouquets. This plant also supports the environment. Bumblebees don’t just like Dragon’s Breath® Celosia, they love it!

Hailing from hot climates in Africa and South America, this showy shrub is heat tolerant, drought tolerant, and cold hardy in zones 10 and 11. Add it to beds, borders, and containers for bright color, height, and interesting texture. Plant it en masse in a foundation planting or border to magnify its bold colors. Growing it as a specimen in a container provides focal interest to smaller spaces, including patios, decks, porches, and entryways.

Dragon's Breath® Celosia Care

Plant heat-loving Dragon's Breath® Cockscomb in full sun. This ornamental tolerates various soils as long as they are moist, well draining, and slightly acidic to neutral. The pH should be 6.0 to 7.0. Poorly draining soil should be amended with compost or perlite to deter fungal diseases. Make sure this shrub gets about one inch of water per week. To encourage bigger and brighter blooms, apply a fertilizer with higher levels of phosphorus than nitrogen during the beginning of the blooming season. 

This ornamental does not typically require heavy pruning. Pinch once to create bushier growth and trim to shape or manage size. Deadhead spent blooms to support abundant blooming during the remainder of the flowering season. If maintained in a container in a cold climate, bring the pot indoors to overwinter. 

Dragon's Breath® Celosia Spacing

Space each plant 15 to 18 inches apart. Plant it in borders and beds with companion plants, including cosmos, salvias, and zinnias. Assemble striking bouquets by combining the cut flowers with dahlias, solidago, daisies, and gomphrena. To enjoy the flowers and leaves long after the heat of summer has passed, trim them and add to bouquets or dry them and add to  holiday wreaths.

Dragon's Breath® Celosia Information