Since the plume is not hardy in Central Europe, it is preferably cultivated in pots and flower boxes. Read here how to properly plant and care for the enchanting Celosia on the balcony for months of flower fireworks.
How do I care for a feather bush on the balcony?
Plant the plume in peat-free, nutrient-rich potting soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Choose a bright location with mild sun and protect it from wind and rain. Water the plume when the substrate has dried out and fertilize every 14 days from May to September. Remove wilted flowers regularly.
Your Celosia feels right at home in this location
The plume found its way to our summer balcony from the tropical and subtropical regions. The closer the conditions are to its habitat, the more wasteful the flowering will be. The location should be like this:
- Bright location with mild sun in the morning or early evening
- Warm and protected from the wind
- Ideally under an awning or eaves to protect against rain
The plume should only take its place on the balcony or terrace from mid-May onwards, because delayed ground frosts until then can destroy any hope of an exotic flower display.
Planting and caring for the feather bush is so easy
Plant Celosia in a peat-free, nutrient-rich potting soil (€16.00 on Amazon) with a slightly acidic pH value of 6.0 to 6.5. Adding lava granules or coconut fibers optimizes permeability. A few expanded clay balls or shards of clay above the floor opening prevent waterlogging. This is how you care for the summer flower on the balcony in an exemplary manner:
- Watere the plant only when the substrate has dried
- Pour the soft water immediately onto the root slice
- From May to September, fertilize every 14 days with a potassium-concentrated liquid fertilizer
- Clean up wilted flowers regularly
A lovingly cared for plume is too good to throw away after just one season. Therefore, move the plant in good time in autumn to a bright winter quarters with normal room temperatures. The blooms continue unabated on the windowsill. Adjust the water supply to the reduced demand. In addition, the celosia only receives some fertilizer every 4 weeks until May.
Tip
The leaves and flowers of a celosia are rich in vitamin C and carotene. A plume is therefore not poisonous and can be eaten without worry. The leaves complement any crisp, fresh salad, while the flowers colorfully decorate cold and warm dishes.