Heirloom

Double Click Bicolor Pink

Cosmos bipinnatus

Photo: Arturo Castro Castro · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 4.0)

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 Double Click Bicolor Pink in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Double Click Bicolor Pink · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, poor to average soil; tolerates sandy, loamy conditions

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBicolor pink and white

Size2-3"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Double Click Bicolor Pink keeps producing as long as you deadhead consistently, so a single sowing usually carries you from midsummer through frost. If you want a heavy, uninterrupted cut-flower supply, two rounds — one direct-sown in April and a second in late May — staggers peak bloom and gives you a backup if the first planting catches a late cold snap or a spider mite outbreak in July.

Stop sowing by late June in most zones. Seeds started after that won't hit the 75-90 day mark before shorter days and cooler soil slow everything down — germination drops off sharply once soil temps fall below 60°F, and the plants that do emerge won't perform the same way they did in spring.

Complete Growing Guide

2-3" fully double and semidouble bicolor flowers on strong stems for cutting. They are highly variable in the proportion of pink to white, creating the pleasant effect of a bicolor mix. Flower colors range from a contrasting, dark pink edge on a bright white flower to soft, creamy white with blush of pink. Cosmos are also known as garden cosmos. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Double Click Bicolor Pink is 75 - 90 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

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

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

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

For cut flowers, store Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos in a cool location (65-72°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Keep stems in clean water with flower food, changing water every 2-3 days for optimal vase life of 7-10 days. For preservation, air-dry fully mature blooms by hanging upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks, creating long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, press flowers between parchment paper under heavy books for 1-2 weeks to create botanical specimens for crafts or framing. Silica gel drying preserves color and shape best—bury flowers in silica for 3-5 days for vibrant dried blooms suitable for arrangements.

History & Origin

Double Click Bicolor Pink 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

+Fully double flowers create dramatic, romantic garden displays with minimal effort
+Bicolor variation provides natural mixed appearance without planting multiple varieties
+Long stems ideal for cutting and arranging fresh bouquets indoors
+Blooms prolifically for 75-90 days with easy-to-grow care requirements
+Variable pink-to-white ratio offers pleasing visual interest throughout season

Considerations

-Extreme color variability may disappoint gardeners seeking consistent uniform appearance
-Fully double flowers produce little to no viable seed for self-sowing
-Tall stems require staking in windy locations to prevent lodging damage
-Preference for well-draining soil limits planting options in heavy clay beds

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum are the two companions worth planting close. Tagetes patula specifically deters aphids and whiteflies through its scent and pulls in predatory wasps that keep pest pressure manageable. Sweet Alyssum draws hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids — plant it at the front edge of the bed, 6-8 inches out, so it doesn't crowd the cosmos. Nasturtiums earn a spot nearby as a trap crop: aphids pile onto them first, giving you a concentrated target to cut out or spray without disturbing your Double Click plants.

Skip Fennel anywhere near this bed — it releases allelopathic compounds from its roots that stunt most nearby annuals, and cosmos are no exception. Black Walnut drops juglone into the surrounding soil and will quietly kill off plantings you'd otherwise never suspect. Eucalyptus has similar root chemistry. All three look like neutral neighbors until something starts dying back for no obvious reason.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and asparagus beetles

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and pollinators while requiring similar growing conditions

Zinnia

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects, complement similar sun and water needs

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Salvia

Attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects while deterring harmful pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic properties suppress growth of nearby plants through root and leaf secretions

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic compounds

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Double Click Bicolor Pink

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

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal disease that thrives when days are warm and nights drop below 60°F
Poor airflow from crowded spacing or nearby dense plantings

What to Do

1.Thin plants to at least 12 inches apart if you haven't already — airflow does more than any spray
2.Apply a diluted neem oil solution (2 tsp per gallon of water) every 7-10 days on affected foliage
3.Cut out and bag the worst-hit stems; don't compost them

Stippled, silvery or bronzed leaf surfaces with fine webbing on the undersides, plants looking dull and stunted

Likely Causes

Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode in hot, dry conditions above 85°F
Drought stress making plants more susceptible to infestation

What to Do

1.Spray plants with a strong jet of water (undersides of leaves especially) every 2-3 days to knock mites off
2.If populations are heavy, apply insecticidal soap — coat the undersides thoroughly, repeat in 5-7 days
3.Water consistently at the base; drought-stressed cosmos draw mites like a magnet

Wilting despite adequate water, yellowing at the base, roots look brown or mushy when you pull the plant

Likely Causes

Root rot — most often Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi in waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Overwatering in heavy clay soil, especially right after transplant

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants — there's no saving a plant with fully rotted roots
2.Amend the bed with coarse sand or perlite before replanting; cosmos want lean, fast-draining soil
3.Direct sow into the problem bed next time instead of transplanting — seedlings establish more readily than starts in wet conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos blooms last in a vase?▼

With proper care, these cut flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase. To maximize longevity, use a clean vase filled with cool water mixed with flower food, re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle every few days, remove lower foliage, and keep blooms away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight.

Are cosmos good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos are excellent for beginners. They're easy to grow, require minimal maintenance, tolerate poor soil conditions, and produce abundant blooms throughout the season. They're forgiving of neglect and don't require deadheading, though removing spent flowers encourages more blooms.

Can you grow Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos in containers?▼

Absolutely. These cosmos thrive in containers with drainage holes and well-draining potting soil. Use containers at least 12 inches deep and wide. Place in full sun for best flowering, water when soil is dry to the touch, and provide support for stems as they grow tall and may be top-heavy with double flowers.

When should I plant Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos seeds?▼

Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Alternatively, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost for earlier blooms. Seeds germinate quickly in 7-14 days. These cosmos bloom 75-90 days from planting and continue flowering until the first fall frost.

What makes Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos unique among cosmos varieties?▼

The fully double and semidouble flowers distinguish this variety from single-petaled cosmos types. The natural bicolor effect—ranging from dark pink edges on white centers to soft blush patterns—creates stunning visual variation within the same planting. Strong stems make them ideal for cutting and arranging.

How much sun do Double Click Bicolor Pink cosmos need?▼

These cosmos perform best in full sun (6+ hours daily) but tolerate partial shade (4-6 hours). Full sun produces the most abundant flowering and vibrant bicolor color patterns. In hot climates, afternoon shade can prevent petal fade and extend the blooming season.