Heirloom

Flamingo Purple

Celosia argentea spicata

Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Dense, shrub-like plants produce a bounty of dramatic, dark burgundy-and-green foliage with 2-5" magenta flower spikes. Plants are upright and highly uniform, and stems are dark red, thick, and sturdy. As a cut flower, it adds a tropical flair. NOTE: Despite the name, this is a very different plant than Pink Flamingo celosia. Purple Flamingo blooms late and produces an abundance of foliage with comparatively few flowers on very dense plants. Pink Flamingo is the opposite in many ways, blooming early with lots of flowers and few leaves.

Harvest

100-130d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

10–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

9-18 inches

📏

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 Flamingo Purple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Flamingo Purple · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorDark burgundy with magenta flower spikes

Size2-5"

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

Flamingo Purple will keep pushing new spikes as long as you harvest regularly, so one planting can carry you a long way. If you want a staggered supply for cutting or market, start a second round of transplants indoors in late April and get them in the ground by early June; at 100-130 days to maturity, that wave peaks in October before frost arrives in zone 7. Don't push a third sowing — anything started after mid-June won't have enough season to perform.

Complete Growing Guide

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

Flamingo Purple reaches harvest at 100 - 130 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2-5" 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

For fresh storage, keep cut Flamingo Purple stems in a cool location with plenty of water in a clean vase, changing water every 2-3 days. Avoid direct sunlight and warm spots; temperatures of 65-72°F with moderate humidity are ideal. Vase life typically lasts 7-10 days. For preservation, air-dry stems by hanging them upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual flower spikes between parchment paper weighted under books for botanical crafts. Freeze-drying can also preserve the dramatic color and texture for decorative purposes.

History & Origin

Flamingo Purple 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

+Dark red stems and burgundy foliage provide striking ornamental appeal year-round
+Highly uniform, upright growth habit creates neat, professional-looking garden displays
+Sturdy thick stems support heavy flower spikes without staking or support
+Dense, shrub-like plants work well as cut flowers with tropical flair
+Easy to grow with minimal care requirements for most gardeners

Considerations

-Late blooming cycle means 100-130 days before magenta flowers appear
-Comparatively few flowers relative to dense foliage can disappoint some growers
-Requires longer growing season than early-blooming celosia varieties like Pink Flamingo
-Dense plant structure may trap moisture and increase fungal disease risk

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially French types like 'Petite Gold') are the most practical neighbor here — their root exudates deter root-knot nematodes, a real problem in warm-season beds. Zinnias and Cosmos pull in predatory wasps and hoverflies that keep aphid pressure in check across the whole planting. Sweet Alyssum at the border does the same work at ground level, and it fills gaps neatly under Flamingo Purple's 9-18 inch stems. Skip Black Walnut adjacency entirely — juglone moves through the soil and will stall or kill celosia; in our zone 7 Georgia gardens, older residential lots with established walnuts can have toxic root zones extending well past where the canopy ends.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting celosia

Zinnias

Attract pollinators and beneficial predatory insects like ladybugs

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pest populations

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary height and texture

Cleome

Similar growing conditions and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Salvia

Repels pests with aromatic foliage and attracts pollinators

Dusty Miller

Provides contrasting silver foliage and similar heat tolerance

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill celosia

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of nearby flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic oils inhibit germination and growth of most garden flowers

Troubleshooting Flamingo Purple

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

Seedlings damping off at soil level — stems pinch thin and collapse within the first 2-3 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi — both thrive in overly wet, poorly draining seed-starting mix
Trays kept too cool (below 65°F) slowing growth while fungal pressure builds

What to Do

1.Water from the bottom only, and let the top of the mix dry slightly between waterings
2.Keep germination temps at 70-75°F — a heat mat helps if you're starting indoors in February
3.If damping off appears, remove affected seedlings immediately and treat remaining cells with a dilute hydrogen peroxide drench (1 part 3% H2O2 to 9 parts water)

Flower spikes developing gray, fuzzy coating and turning soft or brown in mid to late season

Likely Causes

Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) — common when humid nights and dense planting reduce airflow around stems
Overhead irrigation wetting the blooms directly

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart and cut out any spent or damaged spikes at the base — don't leave stubs
2.Switch to drip or soaker irrigation so foliage and flowers stay dry
3.Strip affected material, bag it, and dispose of it in the trash — Botrytis spores spread fast in the compost pile

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Flamingo Purple cut flowers last in a vase?▼

Flamingo Purple stems typically last 7-10 days in a vase when kept in cool conditions with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. The exact lifespan depends on room temperature, humidity, and how quickly the water is refreshed. Removing lower leaves and recutting the stems at an angle can extend vase life slightly.

Is Flamingo Purple celosia good for beginners?▼

Yes, Flamingo Purple is an easy variety to grow, making it excellent for beginners. It requires full sun (6+ hours) and tolerates a range of conditions. The plants are upright, uniform, and sturdy. Its main drawback is a late bloom time and denser foliage with fewer flowers compared to Pink Flamingo, but this doesn't affect ease of cultivation.

How is Flamingo Purple different from Pink Flamingo celosia?▼

Despite the similar names, these are very different plants. Flamingo Purple blooms late with abundant dark burgundy-green foliage and comparatively few flowers on dense plants. Pink Flamingo is the opposite: it blooms early with lots of flowers and minimal leaves. Choose Flamingo Purple for dramatic foliage and a tropical aesthetic as a cut flower or garden accent.

When should I plant Flamingo Purple seeds?▼

Start Flamingo Purple indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, as it has a 100-130 day harvest window. This allows plants to establish before transplanting outdoors after frost danger passes. Given its late bloom habit, earlier seeding ensures flowering before season's end in cooler climates.

Can I grow Flamingo Purple celosia in containers?▼

Yes, Flamingo Purple can be grown in containers provided they receive full sun (6+ hours daily) and well-draining soil. The upright, compact growth habit makes it suitable for large pots. Ensure consistent moisture and adequate spacing to allow air circulation and prevent disease.

What makes Flamingo Purple suitable as a cut flower?▼

Flamingo Purple's dark red, thick, sturdy stems support its dramatic magenta flower spikes beautifully, adding a tropical flair to arrangements. The dense foliage and 2-5" spike flowers create visual interest, and the long vase life (7-10 days) makes it practical for floral design and decorative purposes.