Heirloom

Apricotta

Cosmos bipinnatus

Photo: Fir0002 · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Tall, vigorous, densely branching plants. Delicate single blooms have a slightly ruffled edge and glow in shades of blush, apricot, and rose. We have observed variation in bloom color: some flowers are lighter in color, while some express more rose than apricot. The 2 1/2-3" blooms are not as full or uniform as we would like. Still, we appreciate the variety for its productive plants and its ability to unify warm and cool hues in arrangements.

Harvest

75-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

2-4 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Apricotta in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Apricotta · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBlush, apricot, and rose

Size2 1/2-3"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 3 weeks from April through mid-June in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are consistently above 90°F — not because the plants die in heat, but because late-sown seedlings struggle to build enough root mass before the worst of summer arrives. A second sowing in late August can push your cut-flower window into fall; those plants won't log a full 75–90 days before frost in colder zones, but in zones 8–9 they'll keep blooming until a hard freeze ends the season. Deadhead every few days regardless of when you sowed — Cosmos stops setting buds fast once it thinks it's done its job.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Apricotta reaches harvest at 75 - 90 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2 1/2-3" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh Apricotta flowers, store in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ethylene-producing fruits. Keep stems in fresh water in the refrigerator at 35-40°F to extend vase life to 7-10 days, changing water every 2-3 days. To preserve blooms long-term, air-dry by hanging stems upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks, or press flowers between absorbent paper under weight for 4-6 weeks to create flat botanical specimens. Alternatively, dry individual petals on a screen and store in airtight containers for use in potpourri or craft projects.

History & Origin

Apricotta is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico and southwest North America

Advantages

+Tall, vigorous plants produce abundant blooms for cutting arrangements
+Delicate single flowers with ruffled edges add romantic texture to designs
+Color variation in blush, apricot, and rose unifies warm and cool tones
+Easy to grow with 75-90 day maturity and minimal care requirements
+Densely branching habit maximizes productivity and continuous flowering potential

Considerations

-Bloom size inconsistency at 2.5-3 inches lacks fullness and uniformity
-Color variation unpredictable, ranging from light to heavily rose-toned flowers
-Single bloom form less showy than double or semi-double cosmos varieties

Companion Plants

Marigolds deter aphids and whiteflies through both root secretions and foliage scent, making them a practical border plant rather than just a pretty one. Nasturtiums work differently — they pull aphids onto themselves and away from the cosmos, acting as a sacrificial crop you can yank and replace mid-season. Sweet alyssum planted at the base draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that keep soft-bodied pest populations in check without any spraying. Black walnut, fennel, and large sunflowers are all problems for different reasons: walnut roots produce juglone, a compound that disrupts cellular respiration in many annuals including Cosmos bipinnatus; fennel releases allelopathic compounds through its roots that stunt nearby plants; and large sunflowers simply crowd out light and moisture within about 24 inches.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids, attract beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract pollinators

Basil

Repels thrips, aphids, and flies while attracting beneficial pollinators

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts hover flies and parasitic wasps that control aphids

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and create habitat for natural predators

Calendula

Repel aphids and whiteflies, attract beneficial insects

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill zinnias

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of nearby flowering plants

Large Sunflowers

Create excessive shade and compete aggressively for nutrients and water

Troubleshooting Apricotta

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Powdery white coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives in warm days with cool nights and poor airflow
Overcrowded planting that traps humidity around the foliage

What to Do

1.Thin plants to at least 12–18 inches apart to open up airflow
2.Spray foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) weekly as a low-cost suppression measure
3.Remove and trash the worst-affected stems — don't compost them

Seedlings collapsing at the soil line within the first 2 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off — usually Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi, triggered by wet, poorly drained starting mix
Overwatering combined with low light, which keeps the soil surface perpetually damp

What to Do

1.Switch to a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix and water only when the top layer feels dry
2.Improve air circulation with a small fan set on low — 30 minutes a day makes a real difference
3.Start fresh; damping off can't be reversed once a seedling has gone over

Aphid clusters on new growth tips and flower buds, causing curled or stunted shoots

Likely Causes

Aphids (Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — drawn to the soft new growth Apricotta puts out all season
Absence of beneficial insects, often due to nearby pesticide use

What to Do

1.Blast them off with a firm stream of water from a hose — repeat every 2–3 days until the population drops
2.Plant sweet alyssum or calendula nearby to draw in parasitic wasps and lacewings that feed on aphids
3.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap directly to the clusters; coat the undersides of leaves too

Plants are tall and leafy but producing very few flowers by day 80 or beyond

Likely Causes

Excess nitrogen — too much fertilizer pushes vegetative growth at the expense of blooms
Insufficient direct sun; Cosmos bipinnatus needs at least 6 hours to flower reliably
Soil that's too rich — this variety does better in lean, average ground than in amended beds

What to Do

1.Stop fertilizing entirely; if you've been feeding regularly, skip the next 4–6 weeks and see if flowering picks up
2.Move container plants to a spot with more direct sun, or check whether nearby trees have filled in to shade the bed
3.Pinch the main stem tip back by 3–4 inches to encourage branching and more flower nodes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Apricotta flowers last in a vase?▼

Apricotta flowers typically last 7-10 days in the vase with proper care. Change water every 2-3 days, trim stem ends at a 45-degree angle, and keep them in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Remove any foliage below the water line to prevent bacterial growth and extend the life of your arrangement.

Is Apricotta a good flower variety for beginners?▼

Yes, Apricotta is an excellent choice for beginner flower growers. The plants are tall, vigorous, and densely branching with easy cultivation requirements. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and produce abundant blooms with minimal care, making them forgiving and productive for gardeners of any experience level.

Can you grow Apricotta flowers in containers?▼

While Apricotta is typically grown in garden beds, it can be grown in large containers (at least 12-18 inches deep) with quality potting soil and regular watering. Container-grown plants may require staking for support due to the tall, vigorous growth habit. Ensure adequate drainage and provide full sun to partial shade for best flowering.

When should I plant Apricotta flowers?▼

Sow Apricotta seeds directly after the last spring frost date, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date for earlier blooms. These heirloom flowers prefer warm soil and air temperatures, typically 60°F or higher. With 75-90 days to harvest, spring planting ensures abundant blooms throughout summer and fall.

What color variations does Apricotta show?▼

Apricotta displays beautiful color variation ranging from blush to apricot to rose tones, with some flowers leaning lighter and others expressing deeper rose hues. This natural variation in bloom color is one of the variety's charms, allowing it to unify both warm and cool tones in flower arrangements and garden displays.

How large are Apricotta flower blooms?▼

Apricotta produces delicate single blooms measuring 2.5-3 inches across with slightly ruffled edges. While the flowers are not as full or uniform as some hybrid varieties, their semi-double form and unique coloration make them valued for bouquets and arrangements where natural variation is appreciated.