Botanical Interests
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Product Details
Product Details
Celosias have been loved and grown by American gardeners since the 1700s, and 'Red Flame' doesn't disappoint. Its compact, uniform, "cockscomb" flower heads are made up of hundreds of tiny flowers arranged in tight waves, and are very long lasting in the garden or a vase. Like a moth to a flame, 'Red Flame' calls in pollinators to its prolific blooms from summer until frost, and songbirds will follow, enjoying the seeds in fall and winter.
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Amaranthaceae
Native: Exact origin unknown, possibly India
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive perennial, hardy in USDA zones 10 and warmer.
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Period: Summer to frost
Plant Dimensions: 16"–30" tall and about 8" wide
Variety Info: 2"–7", red, globe-shaped flowers.
Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: Within 2 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil is at least 60°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.
Sprouts in: 7–14 Days
Plant Seeds (Depth): Surface to ⅛"
Space Seeds: A pinch of seeds every 8"
Thinning: When 2" tall, thin to 1 every 8"
Growing Info
Harvesting: For cut or dried flowers, pick when the plumes are the right size for your purpose but before they go to seed. Flowers can last up to 2 weeks in a vase. If drying, hang flowers upside down for a couple of weeks until stems are stiff and dry.
- KristenDE, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsSep 5, 2026Love!
I had started a few indoors and transplanted to my flower bed in the spring and these are absolutely a show stopper! They are huge, much larger than I anticipated but I am not complaining. Even at a large height and established I dug up one and potted it to move out front so that more people could enjoy it. I plan to dig up another and pot it, as well as cut some to dry. Celosia are my favorite so I'm just thrilled with this variety.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? ContainerEGEpic GardeningSep 9, 2026Hey Kristen,
We're so happy to hear that your Chief Red Flame Celosia Seeds turned out to be such a show stopper! It sounds like those plants absolutely thrived in your flower bed - and we love that they grew even bigger than you expected! The fact that you're enjoying them so much you decided to pot one up for your front yard and are planning to dry some says everything about how impressed you are with this variety. Celosia are seriously stunning, and it's awesome that you found a variety that you're just thrilled with! Thanks so much for being part of the growing community! Keep on growing 🌻
- Espi Z.Rated 3 out of 5 starsFeb 11, 2026No germination ):
These seeds were part of a large order I placed. I sowed all of the seeds that came in the packet, and non of them germinated. ): I had luck germinating all the other seeds in my order, including others that require light for germination.
I'm not sure if I did something wrong, or if the seeds weren't getting enough light since they're at the end of the shelf (picture included). The one light we have certainly isn't enough for all of the space, but I've been adjusting how far forward or backward the seed trays are placed to combat this.
Though the celosia didn't germinate, I didn't want to leave a 1-star review because I've had a lot of luck with botanical interests seeds in the past, and I really like all the information included on the seed packets.
Which best describes you as a gardener? BeginnerEGEpic GardeningFeb 16, 2026Hey Espi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- SamarVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsNov 20, 2025Beautiful
I got red and fuchsia flowers. I even got one Cox comb flower from the same packet. This was my first time planting seeds in years. I planted them in February and it must’ve been cold so I only got seven out of the whole packet to germinate. I saved the seats from them for next year. They are so beautiful..
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningNov 20, 2025Hey Samar,
Thank you so much for this fantastic 5-star review! "Beautiful" is exactly what we love to hear about Chief Red Flame Celosia Seeds - and we absolutely love that you got such gorgeous variety with red and fuchsia flowers plus that special surprise cox comb flower all from the same packet!
Your first-time-planting-in-years success and smart seed-saving for next year will be so inspiring for other gardeners who want to discover just how rewarding Chief Red Flame Celosia Seeds can be for creating those stunning colorful displays that deliver beautiful variety, reliable blooms, and the satisfaction of growing your own "so beautiful" flowers that make every garden absolutely gorgeous!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- CindyGRated 5 out of 5 starsAug 3, 2025Amazing color!!!
This was my first time successfully growing so many seedlings. I think it was a matter of stats. The more you grow the more likely you are to succeed. It seemed like a very long time before I actually saw something like a coral reef but it finally did. We had a very cool summer with lots of rain so that definitely helped. I did start indoors on a grow rack according to the instructions. I’m here to order for next season!!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningAug 4, 2025Hey CindyG,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're absolutely thrilled to hear about your successful seedling growing adventure with the Chief Red Flame Celosia Seeds! You're so right about the stats game, and it sounds like your persistence really paid off beautifully. We love your coral reef description - that's such a perfect way to capture those stunning flame-like blooms! It's wonderful that you followed the indoor growing instructions and that the cool, rainy summer helped everything along. We're so excited that you're already planning for next season - that's the mark of a truly hooked gardener! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Esther V.Rated 5 out of 5 starsFeb 26, 20255 Stars
Not sure how many of these I trialed. Believe I only planted 6 seeds due it being early fall in my zone 10b, and the fact that the packet came with such minimal seeds (30ct) for a celosia. My goal was to grow a couple on for its uniqueness, but also so I could collect my own seeds and “grow” my chief red flame seed stash for spring. Only one seed germinated in the cell tray to fully mature to this beauty. I’ve even already collected seeds from it, accomplishing my initial goal. Can’t wait to see the final brain 🧠 formation as the flower continue to grow from the uncut main stem. But even now, with its tiny flower head, it still attracts pollinators, and curious adults and kids alike. Will grow again.
