How to Care for a Pink Cockscomb Plant

Plant the cockscomb in fertile, moist soil. The soil used with a pink cockscomb plant should contain plenty of organic matter in the form of compost or humus. Moist soil is best. Cockscomb plants are also tolerant of being planted in pots, although this is not commonly done.

Plant the cockscomb in full sun if possible. Pink cockscomb plants prefer full sun, but they can also be planted in partial shade if full sun is unavailable. Cockscombs need warm temperatures because planting in cold temperatures can result in premature blooming and ruin the chances of blooming later in the season.

Avoid worrying about pests. The pink cockscomb plant is a hardy plant that is not overly affected by pests. The two pests that might be a problem include mites that leave discoloration on the foliage and leaf spot disease on the foliage. However, neither of these is common or serious.

Decide how best to use the cockscomb plant. Cockscomb is a decorative ornamental flower, and the flowers the cockscomb produces are well-suited for drying and preserving. According to the University of Florida, red cockscomb flowers are the most suitable for drying, but pink cockscomb flowers can also be dried with good results. Celosia flowers such as the pink cockscomb have a long lifespan when cut and placed in a vase, lasting anywhere from 5 to 10 days.