Pollinator plant

Garden cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

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Common names

44 names · 30 languages
EnglishYour language
+3 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (29)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • قسموس ثنائي الريش[3]
Belarusian
  • Космас раздзельналісты[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 大波斯菊[3]
  • 波斯菊[3]
Cora
Czech
  • krásenka zpeřená[3]
Danish
  • Stolt kavaler[3]
Estonian
  • harilik kosmos[3]
Finnish
  • punakosmos[3]
German
Hungarian
  • kerti pillangóvirág[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • オオハルシャギク[3]
  • コスモス[3]
Korean
  • 코스모스[3]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastoji kosmėja[3]
Nahuatl
Norwegian
Polish
  • Kosmos pierzasty[3]
  • Kosmos podwójnie pierzasty[3]
  • Onętek pierzasty[3]
Portuguese
Purepecha
  • sharacamata[3]
Russian
  • Космея дваждыперистая[3]
Slovak
  • krasuľka perovitá[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • rosenskära[3]
Turkish
  • Kozmos Çiçeği[3]
Ukrainian
  • Космея звичайна[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Cosmos bipinnatus — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Garden Cosmos — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cut Leaf Cosmos — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Mexican Aster — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Tall Cosmos — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Cosmos bipinnatus.
[2] Cosmos bipinnatus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • garden cosmos — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Schmuckkörbchen — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • annual cosmos — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmos — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Mexican aster — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cambray — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Girasol morado — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • cosmos bipenné — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmea — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmos — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmos — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
[3] Cosmos bipinnatus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • garden cosmos — results[18].names[1]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Schmuckkörbchen — results[18].names[15]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • annual cosmos — results[18].names[6]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmos — results[18].names[13]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Mexican aster — results[18].names[5]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cambray — results[18].names[8]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Girasol morado — results[18].names[2]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • cosmos bipenné — results[18].names[28]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmea — results[18].names[39]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmos — results[18].names[27]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Cosmos — results[18].names[11]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • huaabe — results[18].names[3]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • sharacamata — results[18].names[4]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • 波斯菊 — results[18].names[7]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Xococtole — results[18].names[9]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Xococtoli — results[18].names[10]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • krásenka zpeřená — results[18].names[12]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • 大波斯菊 — results[18].names[14]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • 코스모스 — results[18].names[16]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Космея дваждыперистая — results[18].names[17]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • pyntekurv — results[18].names[18]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • オオハルシャギク — results[18].names[19]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • punakosmos — results[18].names[20]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Kosmos podwójnie pierzasty — results[18].names[21]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Paprastoji kosmėja — results[18].names[22]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • コスモス — results[18].names[23]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • harilik kosmos — results[18].names[24]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • 大波斯菊 — results[18].names[25]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • rosenskära — results[18].names[26]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Stolt kavaler — results[18].names[29]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Космас раздзельналісты — results[18].names[30]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Kosmos — results[18].names[31]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • mieliepes — results[18].names[32]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • قسموس ثنائي الريش — results[18].names[33]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • kerti pillangóvirág — results[18].names[34]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Kosmos pierzasty — results[18].names[35]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Onętek pierzasty — results[18].names[36]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Космея звичайна — results[18].names[37]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • 秋英 — results[18].names[38]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • krasuľka perovitá — results[18].names[40]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
  • Kozmos Çiçeği — results[18].names[41]; taxon id 68562; Cosmos bipinnatus.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Cosmos bipinnatus ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Mexican Aster (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 144547; taxon 6B7N7.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Cosmos bipinnatus is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Asteraceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.61–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping; Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Cosmos species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
Mexico.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Plant profile

About this plant

Garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from July to October.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Cosmos bipinnatus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2034247; ID 6B7N7; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2034247; ID 6B7N7; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Cosmos bipinnatus — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 1, entry Cosmos species (top 577 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Cosmos bipinnatus — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1430828; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1503888, 1503889, 1503890, 1503891, 1503892

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.