The unique blooms are a rich, dark maroon with velvety rounded petals and dark brown centers.
Their most outstanding characteristic may be their chocolaty-vanilla fragrance.
In its native habitat, it is a perennial.
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Plant chocolate cosmos in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Soil
Well-drained, fertilesoil with a pHbetween 5.5-6.0 will allow these beauties to flourish.
Water
Once established, the plants need only moderate amounts of water.
In dry periods, water deeply about once per week.
Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Be mindful of overwatering; too much water causes the roots to rot.
Chocolate cosmos is tolerant of high humidity.
Fertilizer
These flowers are not heavy feeders.
Too much fertilizer might cause your chocolate cosmos to produce more foliage than blooms.
A springtime app offertilizer for roses and other flowering plantsonce in the springtime is usually sufficient.
After the first round of flowering finishes, cut the plants down to 12 to 18 inches.
This encourages new growth and potentially more flowers.
The tuberous roots are handled similarly to the roots ofdahlias.
Potting and Repotting Chocolate Cosmos
Chocolate cosmos grow well in containers.
Drainage is vital with chocolate cosmos.
Plant the seeds or tubers in well-draining soil and pots with ample drainage holes.
Keep the tubers cool and dry.
Give the plants plenty of space and airflow to prevent powdery mildew.
Bloom Months
Chocolate cosmos typically blooms in summer around June or July.
How Long Does Chocolate Cosmos Bloom?
The chocolaty fragrance of chocolate cosmos is due to vanillin, an organic compound also found in cocoa.
The scent is most pronounced on warm days.
Not Flowering
Cosmos plants are sun lovers and light sensitive.
They need full sun all day and 12 hours of darkness to produce flowers.
Ambient light is problematic for them.
Other variables to checkdo not overwater or overfertilize.
Too much fertilizer will yield bushy foliage, pulling energy away from the flower heads.
They hold up well as cut flowers too.
Plant them near a patio or seating area to enjoy the fragrance more easily.
Chocolate cosmos have become rare in their native habitat in Mexico.
Despite the appetizing scent of the flowers, the plants are not edible.
