Plant Cosmos Bright Lights Seeds to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden!

Cosmos is a super easy annual flower that butterflies love to nectar from.  This variety, Bright Lights (Cosmos sulphureus) is popular both with gardeners and the butterflies (and other pollinators) since it is tough and does not appreciate pampering.  The gold, orange, red, and yellow flowers light up the garden.

About Sulphur Cosmos

Native to Mexico and Central America, Sulphur Cosmos has naturalized in North America.

Although ‘Bright Lights’ is an annual, it may self-seed readily depending on the conditions.  An extra bonus is that birds love the seed and you will often see them feeding on seeds in the fall

This cosmos blooms all summer and grows about 36-48″ tall.  This species likes full sun, is drought tolerant and does not like to be pampered.  The best flower performance comes with full sun, not much fertilizer and poor, but well-drained soil.  Over-watering or over-feeding the plant will produce more foliage and fewer blooms.

Germination of Cosmos ‘Bright Lights’ Seeds

Cosmos seeds are EASY to grow. The seed can be fall planted, started indoors in the early spring, or directly sown outdoors after the last chance of frost has past.  The seeds need to be lightly covered, about 1/16 of an inch (or raked if outdoors in the ground).

Keep the seeds moist and germination will occur in about 7-14 days.  The best soil temperature for germination is around 70-80F.  Space (or thin) the plants about 12-15″ apart.

Why Buy Cosmos Sulphureus Seeds?

Cosmos ‘Bright Lights’ is brilliant, easy, tough, drought tolerant, loved by butterflies, bees, and birds, and flowers all summer therefore making it a great addition to butterfly gardens!