Candy Stripe Mix Cosmo Seeds

Cosmos ‘Candy Stripe Mix’ Seeds – 50 Seeds

Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Candy Stripe Mix’ (Candy Stripe cosmos) is an annual favorite known for its charming bi‑colored blooms—typically white or pale pink petals streaked or edged with brighter pinks and reds—set above feathery, fern‑like foliage. Native to Mexico, this mix provides season‑long color from midsummer to first frost and suits cottage borders, wildflower meadows, and cutting gardens.

Grow Candy Stripe in full sun for best flowering and a sturdy, open habit; it tolerates light afternoon shade but produces fewer blooms in shade. It prefers well‑drained soil from average loam to sandy mixes and performs well in leaner soils—avoid rich, high‑nitrogen beds that lead to lanky growth. Water regularly during establishment, then allow moderate drought tolerance once plants are established.

Seeds need light to germinate, so surface‑sow or barely cover them. Sow directly outdoors after the danger of frost when soil has warmed, or start indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost for earlier blooms; germination typically occurs in 7–14 days at warm temperatures. Succession sowing every few weeks extends the bloom season. No cold stratification is required.

Plants commonly reach 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) tall with a 1–2 foot (30–60 cm) spread—space about 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart to allow airflow and showcase the feathery foliage. As an annual, Candy Stripe completes its life cycle in one season but may self‑sow in favorable sites.

Candy Stripe cosmos is excellent as a long‑lasting cut flower for airy bouquets and arrangements, attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, and adds nostalgic, cottage‑garden charm to mixed borders and pollinator plantings.