Heirloom

Celosia

Celosia argentea plumosa

Wikimedia Commons

Bright green leaves with pink, orange, and yellow veins and stems.

Harvest

10-15d

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

Harvest

Start Indoors

Harvest

Showing dates for Celosia in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 microgreen →

Zone Map

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Celosia · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SpacingNo spacing needed; dense broadcast sowing

SoilSterile seed-starting mix or coconut coir

WaterConsistent moisture; water from below to avoid fungal issues

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, slightly sweet, earthy flavor with delicate, tender texture

ColorBright green with pink, orange, and yellow veins and stems

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 4	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 5	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 6	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 7	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 8	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 9	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 10	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 1	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 2	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 11	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 12	January – December	—	—	January – December
Zone 13	January – December	—	—	January – December

Succession Planting

Celosia microgreens cut in 10–15 days, so you can run a tight, year-round rotation indoors. Sow a new tray every 7 days and you'll have a continuous harvest without gaps — two trays staggered is usually enough for most households. Unlike lettuce or arugula, there's no bolting threshold to plan around; indoor growing under consistent light and temps means the calendar puts no real ceiling on you. The main constraints are tray space and lumens, not the season.

Complete Growing Guide

Bright green leaves with pink, orange, and yellow veins and stems. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Celosia is 10 - 15 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Hydroponic Performer.

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

Celosia reaches harvest at 10 - 15 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. 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

Harvest Celosia microgreens at day 10 and store them immediately in a breathable container lined with paper towels at 35–40°F and 85–90% humidity. A perforated plastic clamshell in the refrigerator works well. Fresh greens will keep for 5–7 days before wilting noticeably. For longer preservation, dry the microgreens slowly in a dehydrator set to 95–105°F until completely crisp, then store in an airtight jar away from light—dried Celosia retains its delicate, feathery texture and subtle peppery flavor for several months. Freezing is possible but results in significant texture loss after thawing. Celosia microgreens are particularly prone to moisture-related decay, so avoid washing them before storage; instead, rinse gently just before use.

History & Origin

Celosia 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

+Stunning multicolored veins and stems add visual appeal to dishes
+Ready to harvest in just 10-15 days for quick returns
+Beginner-friendly with easy growing requirements and minimal care needs
+Delicate, tender leaves provide pleasant texture in salads and garnishes

Considerations

-Susceptible to damping-off disease in overly moist conditions
-Thin stems may require careful handling during harvesting and storage
-Lower yield per tray compared to heartier microgreen varieties

Companion Plants

As a microgreen, celosia grows in trays, not in the ground, so companion logic is really about what shares your shelf or grow-light rack. Basil and cilantro are practical neighbors — both want bottom-watering and germinate well at 70–75°F, so you're not juggling conflicting care routines. Radish microgreens are worth slotting in close by for a different reason: they're cut-ready in 5–7 days, well before celosia finishes, so you can hand off tray space in sequence without a gap. Chives are slow enough that they won't disrupt the rhythm.

Fennel is the one to keep off the bench entirely. It produces allelopathic compounds — anethole and fenchone chief among them — that suppress germination and early root development in a wide range of plants. Even a potted fennel plant sitting nearby has been observed to set back small seedlings. Sunflower microgreens are fine grown on their own, but they put on 4–6 inches fast and will shade anything shorter if your bench layout isn't deliberate.

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids and thrips while attracting beneficial insects

Marigold

Deters nematodes and aphids with strong scent compounds

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and flea beetles

Lettuce

Similar growing conditions and harvest timing for microgreens

Spinach

Compatible growth habits and nutrient requirements

Cilantro

Attracts beneficial insects and has similar water needs

Chives

Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects

Radish

Quick growth cycle complements microgreen harvesting

Keep Apart

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit seed germination

Sunflower

Releases allelopathic chemicals that stunt growth of nearby plants

Walnut

Juglone production severely inhibits growth and development

Nutrition Facts

Calories

69kcal(3%)

Protein

1.5g(3%)

Fiber

5.3g(19%)

Carbs

17.6g(6%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

54.1mg(60%)

Vitamin A

5mcg(1%)

Iron

1.61mg(9%)

Calcium

8mg(1%)

Potassium

304mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167782)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

None typically; home-scale microgreens rarely encounter pest problems

Diseases

Damping-off (fungal), mold on soil surface if overwatered or humidity excessive

Troubleshooting Celosia

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

Seedlings collapse at the soil line, often in a cluster, between days 5 and 10

Likely Causes

Damping-off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi, triggered by overwatering and poor airflow
Watering from above, which keeps the surface wet and gives pathogens a foothold

What to Do

1.Water from below only — set the tray in a shallow dish and let the medium wick up what it needs
2.Run a small fan on low nearby; even gentle airflow cuts surface humidity significantly
3.If a whole tray goes down, toss it and start fresh — there's no saving a damped-off flat

Gray or white fuzzy mold on the soil surface, visible around days 7–12, before or after germination

Likely Causes

Saprophytic surface mold (commonly Botrytis or Mucor species) feeding on undecomposed seed hulls or organic matter in the mix
Humidity too high with no airflow — common under a humidity dome left on too long

What to Do

1.Remove the humidity dome as soon as germination hits 70–80% — celosia doesn't need it past that point
2.Scrape off the moldy layer with a spoon and water only from below going forward
3.Switch to a sterile, peat- or coir-based mix with no added compost, which gives surface mold less to feed on

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does celosia take to grow as a microgreen?▼

Celosia microgreens are ready to harvest in 10–15 days from sowing, making them one of the fastest microgreens available. Germination begins around day 5–7, and the first true leaves—which signal peak harvest time—appear by day 10–12. Exact timing depends on light intensity and temperature; warm conditions and strong light (6+ hours daily) accelerate growth.

Is celosia microgreen good for beginners?▼

Yes. Celosia is one of the most beginner-friendly microgreens. Seeds germinate reliably, seedlings are vigorous and forgiving of minor watering mistakes, and no special equipment is needed—a sunny windowsill works perfectly. The rapid harvest window (10–15 days) means you'll see results quickly, which builds confidence and encourages continued growing.

Can you grow celosia microgreens in containers?▼

Absolutely. Celosia microgreens grow best in shallow trays 1–2 inches deep filled with seed-starting mix or coconut coir. Any shallow container with drainage works fine: plastic microgreen trays, baking pans with drainage holes, or even repurposed takeout containers. The key is consistent moisture, drainage, and placement in full sun (6+ hours daily) or under grow lights.

What do celosia microgreens taste like?▼

Celosia microgreens have a mild, slightly sweet, earthy flavor with tender, delicate texture. They are prized more for their striking visual appeal—brilliant vein colors of pink, orange, and yellow—than for assertive taste. They pair well as garnishes on salads, grain bowls, and smoothies, adding nutritional density and aesthetic sophistication without overpowering other flavors.

How much light do celosia microgreens need?▼

Celosia microgreens require full sun or strong grow lights providing at least 6 hours of daily illumination. Light intensity directly affects vein pigmentation; insufficient light results in pale, less colorful shoots. Position grow lights 4–6 inches above seedlings and run them 12–14 hours per day for optimal growth and color development.

Why are my celosia microgreens pale or lacking color?▼

Pale coloration indicates insufficient light exposure. Ensure your microgreens receive at least 6 hours of direct sun daily, or position grow lights closer (4–6 inches) and extend them to 14 hours per day. Weak light during the critical true-leaf development phase (days 8–12) prevents full vein pigmentation from developing. Increasing light intensity should restore vibrant pink, orange, and yellow coloring within 2–3 days.