Cosmos Xanthos Seeds

A compact annual with soft yellow blooms and pale edges  perfect for borders, containers, and pollinator-friendly gardens.

 

Cosmos Xanthos is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal winning half-hardy annual, celebrated as the first reliably yellow-flowered cosmos. Its single and collarette style blooms open in a gentle lemon hue with creamy margins, creating a fresh, luminous effect across the garden.

 

Early flowering and well branched, it’s ideal for small spaces, patio pots, and sunny borders. Loved by bees and butterflies, this variety adds cheerful colour and soft texture to wildlife-friendly plantings. Easy to grow and drought tolerant once established.

 

Seed Qty: Approx. 20

 

Sow: February – April (indoors) or May (direct)

Germination: 7 – 14 days at 15–20°C

Soil: Well-drained; loam, chalk, or sandy; neutral to slightly alkaline

Height: 50 – 60 cm

Flowers: June – October

Good Companions: Cornflower, calendula, cosmos ‘Purity’

Avoid Pairing With: Shade-loving or moisture-demanding plants

 

Sowing Instructions

Sow indoors from February to April in trays or modules, covering seeds lightly with 5 mm of compost or vermiculite. Maintain 15–20°C and keep moist until germination (7–14 days). Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle, spacing 25–30 cm apart. Harden off before planting outdoors after the last frost.

 

Alternatively, direct sow outdoors in May once soil has warmed. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and harvest stems when buds are just opening for arrangements.