Chief Persimmon
Celosia argentea cristata
Wikimedia Commons via Celosia
Deep apricot, 2-7" blooms make useful fresh or dried cut flowers. Also known as cockscomb and crested cock's comb.
Harvest
90-120d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
9-18 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chief Persimmon in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Chief Persimmon · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
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 | — |
Complete Growing Guide
Deep apricot, 2-7" blooms make useful fresh or dried cut flowers. Also known as cockscomb and crested cock's comb. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Chief Persimmon is 90 - 120 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts.
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Chief Persimmon reaches harvest at 90 - 120 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2-7" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.
Smooth, glossy, shiny capsule contain many seeds
Color: Black. Type: Capsule.
Edibility: The leaves and young shoots are cooked and used in soups and stews. The seeds yield edible oil.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh blooms last 7-10 days when stored in cool conditions. Keep in a vase with fresh water in a cool room (60-65°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. For dried flowers, harvest blooms at peak color and hang upside-down in a well-ventilated, dry area (65-75°F, low humidity) for 2-3 weeks. Dried flowers retain color and texture for months. Alternatively, press blooms between parchment paper under heavy weights for 2-4 weeks to create flat specimens for crafting. Silica gel drying is also effective, preserving color vibrancy within 3-7 days.
History & Origin
Chief Persimmon is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.
Origin: Tropical Africa
Advantages
- +Deep apricot color adds warm, distinctive tones to floral arrangements
- +Versatile for both fresh and dried cut flower applications
- +Large 2-7 inch blooms create impressive visual impact in bouquets
- +Easy growing difficulty makes it suitable for beginner gardeners
- +Extended bloom period over 90-120 days provides sustained flowering
Considerations
- -Requires well-draining soil or susceptible to root rot and fungal issues
- -Sensitive to overwatering which causes stem rot and plant decline
- -Prefers warm temperatures and struggles in cool or wet seasons
Companion Plants
Marigolds and nasturtiums pull real weight here — marigolds emit thiophene compounds from their roots that discourage soil-level pests including aphids and whiteflies, while nasturtiums draw aphid colonies onto themselves and away from the celosia's crested heads. Lavender, rosemary, and catmint draw in predatory hoverflies and parasitic wasps that keep mite and aphid pressure down without you spraying anything. Black walnut is a hard no — its roots leach juglone into the surrounding soil, and most annuals, celosia included, show wilting and dieback well before you figure out the cause. Fennel inhibits root development in most neighboring plants and has no business in a mixed bed.
Plant Together
Lavender
Attracts pollinators and repels pests while tolerating similar soil conditions
Rosemary
Deters aphids and other soft-bodied insects with aromatic oils
Marigold
Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Yarrow
Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health through deep roots
Chives
Repels aphids and Japanese beetles with sulfur compounds
Bee Balm
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while deterring ants
Catmint
Repels aphids, ants, and rodents while attracting pollinators
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone which is toxic to many flowering plants
Fennel
Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy
Eucalyptus
Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress nearby plant growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Common Pests
Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies
Diseases
Leaf spot, root rot in poorly drained soil
Troubleshooting Chief Persimmon
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Fine webbing on undersides of leaves, tips look bleached or silvery, plant looks dusty
Likely Causes
- Spider mite infestation — they thrive in hot, dry conditions above 85°F
- Drought stress that weakens the plant's defenses
What to Do
- 1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mites off
- 2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray in the early morning, coating undersides thoroughly — repeat every 5-7 days
- 3.Water consistently at the base; dry soil speeds up mite cycles
Leaves developing irregular tan or brown spots with a darker border, spreading from older growth inward
Likely Causes
- Fungal leaf spot (Cercospora or Alternaria species) — spreads via water splash and overhead irrigation
- Poor airflow from tight spacing under 12 inches
What to Do
- 1.Strip affected leaves and bin them — don't compost
- 2.Switch to drip or base watering and stop wetting the foliage
- 3.Space plants at least 12 inches apart; 15-18 inches is better in humid climates
Stem base turns dark brown and mushy, plant wilts even when the soil is wet
Likely Causes
- Root rot caused by Pythium or Phytophthora species — both are triggered by waterlogged, poorly drained soil
- Planting in heavy clay or a low spot that holds water after rain
What to Do
- 1.Pull the plant — it won't recover once the crown is gone
- 2.Amend beds with perlite or coarse compost before replanting, and raise the bed at least 4-6 inches if drainage is the chronic problem
- 3.Don't replant celosia in the same spot until drainage is fixed
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Chief Persimmon a good flower variety for beginners?▼
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Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.