Heirloom

Versailles Mix

Cosmos bipinnatus

Photo: Ruth Sharville · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Harvest

90-110d

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 Versailles Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Versailles Mix · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, moderately fertile soil

WaterModerate; drought-tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBlush pink, white, carmine red, and pink with deep pink eye

Size2 1/2"

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

Cosmos is a long-season annual (90-110 days to flower) that keeps blooming until frost kills it, so you don't need to succession sow the way you would with lettuce or radishes. One or two rounds is plenty. In zone 7, direct sow the first round in late April once soil temps hit 60°F, then put in a second sowing in late May or early June if you want a staggered flush of blooms through fall. Skip anything after mid-June — a June 15 sowing likely won't reach full bloom before your first frost in late October, and you'll end up with a lot of foliage and not much flower.

If you're starting indoors, sow 4-6 weeks before your last frost date and transplant out in April or May. Don't start too early — cosmos doesn't like sitting in pots, and seedlings go leggy fast under anything less than 14 hours of strong light.

Complete Growing Guide

Early blooming and vigorous. Produces under short days and is also suitable for greenhouse culture during the winter. Strong stems can withstand considerable handling. Blooms are 2 1/2" across in shades of blush pink, pure white, carmine red, and pink with a deep pink eye. Cosmos are also known as garden cosmos. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Versailles Mix is 90 - 110 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Easy Choice, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Attracts Beneficial Insects.

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

Versailles Mix reaches harvest at 90 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh cut flowers, store Versailles Mix cosmos in a cool location (65-72°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruits. Keep stems in clean water and change water every 2-3 days for a vase life of 7-10 days. Preserve blooms by air-drying in bundles hung upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Alternatively, press flowers between paper in a heavy book for 2-4 weeks to create flat arrangements. For long-term storage, freeze-dry or preserve in silica gel in an airtight container.

History & Origin

Versailles Mix 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

+Early blooming variety produces flowers quickly within 90-110 days
+Vigorous growth habit ensures reliable performance in most garden conditions
+Strong stems withstand handling and shipping without damage or breakage
+Winter greenhouse production possible due to short-day flowering capability
+Multiple attractive color options in single seed packet provide garden variety

Considerations

-Requires deadheading regularly to maintain continuous blooming throughout season
-Self-seeds prolifically which can become invasive in subsequent years
-Susceptible to powdery mildew in humid or poorly ventilated conditions

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the most practical neighbor for cosmos — their root secretions suppress soil nematodes, and their scent disrupts the host-finding behavior of aphids before those aphids ever land. Sweet alyssum is worth tucking in at the border: it flowers within 6-8 weeks from seed, stays low enough not to compete, and the nectar draws in parasitic wasps that put a real dent in whitefly populations. Nasturtiums work as a trap crop, pulling aphid colonies away from cosmos stems; just watch them — if the nasturtiums get overrun, cut them back rather than letting the colony grow and spread. Calendula fills space in the same bed without any water or root conflict.

Black walnut and eucalyptus are the two to avoid entirely. Walnut roots release juglone, eucalyptus sheds allelopathic volatile oils through leaf litter, and both compounds suppress germination and root development in nearby annuals. Sunflowers are a different issue — not chemistry, just size and appetite. At 6-10 feet, they'll shade out a 2-4 foot cosmos planting and pull moisture from the same top 12 inches of soil where cosmos roots are doing their work.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids 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

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial pollinators while providing color contrast

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides vertical structure without competition

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting bees

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and provides contrast in foliage texture

Calendula

Repels aphids and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone which is toxic to many flowering plants

Sunflowers

Produce allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of smaller flowers

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic oils that suppress growth of nearby plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies

Diseases

Powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt

Troubleshooting Versailles Mix

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

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — fungal spores spread by wind, thrives when humidity is high but leaves stay dry
Crowded spacing below 12 inches that chokes airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Cut out and trash the worst-affected stems — don't compost them
2.Thin or stake plants so air can move through; 12-18 inches between plants matters more late in the season
3.Spray with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days until new growth looks clean

Plant wilts suddenly and doesn't recover overnight, even in moist soil — lower stem may look brown or pinched at the soil line

Likely Causes

Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) — soil-borne fungus that blocks water uptake inside the vascular tissue
Overwatered or poorly drained soil that gave the pathogen a foothold

What to Do

1.Pull the plant — there's no saving it once Fusarium is established inside the stem
2.Don't replant cosmos or other susceptible annuals in that same spot for at least 2 seasons
3.Work in a 2-inch layer of compost before the next planting and consider a raised bed if drainage is a chronic problem

Leaves stippled with tiny pale dots, bronzed or silvery overall, with fine webbing on the undersides in dry stretches

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode in hot, dry weather above 85°F
Dusty conditions on leaves that let mites establish without predator pressure

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days — this knocks mites off and disrupts their life cycle
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening when temperatures are below 90°F; repeat every 5-7 days for 3 applications
3.Water consistently through dry spells — drought-stressed cosmos are far more vulnerable than plants getting steady moisture

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Versailles Mix cosmos flowers last in a vase?▼

Versailles Mix cosmos typically last 7-10 days in a vase with proper care. To extend vase life, cut stems at a 45-degree angle in the morning, use clean water, and change the water every 2-3 days. Remove any lower leaves that would sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth and keep the blooms fresh longer.

Is Versailles Mix a good variety for beginners?▼

Yes, Versailles Mix is excellent for beginners. It's classified as easy to grow, features early blooming, and has vigorous growth. The variety produces flowers reliably under various conditions, including short days and greenhouse culture. Strong stems are forgiving during handling, making it ideal for new gardeners wanting reliable, colorful blooms.

Can you grow Versailles Mix cosmos in containers?▼

Yes, Versailles Mix cosmos can be grown in containers. Use a pot at least 12-15 inches deep with well-draining soil. Place containers in a location receiving 4-6+ hours of sunlight daily. Ensure good air circulation to prevent disease and water regularly. Container-grown plants may require staking if stems become too tall, though their strong stems typically handle wind well.

When should I plant Versailles Mix cosmos seeds?▼

Direct sow Versailles Mix cosmos seeds after the last spring frost when soil temperatures reach 65-70°F. You can also start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date and transplant outside once the danger of frost has passed. The variety germinates quickly and blooms in 90-110 days from planting.

What colors do Versailles Mix cosmos flowers come in?▼

Versailles Mix produces blooms in multiple colors including blush pink, pure white, carmine red, and pink with a deep pink eye. Flowers are 2.5 inches across and provide a beautiful mix of colors in a single planting. This variety is particularly valued for its color diversity in cut flower arrangements and garden displays.

How much water do Versailles Mix cosmos need?▼

Cosmos are relatively drought-tolerant once established but perform best with moderate, consistent watering. Water regularly during the growing season, keeping soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once plants are established, they can tolerate drier conditions. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk; water at soil level instead for healthier plants.