As a gardening and landscaping expert, I can confidently say that celosias can come back every year in certain regions, but not in all. Celosias are naturally perennials, meaning they have the potential to grow and bloom year after year. However, this is true only in specific climatic conditions.
In zones 10-12, which encompass tropical areas, celosias have a favorable environment to thrive as perennials. The warm temperatures and mild winters allow the plant to survive and regrow each year. If you reside in one of these zones, you can enjoy the beauty of celosias in your garden without having to replant them annually.
On the other hand, in regions with cooler climates and areas that experience frost, celosias are typically grown as annuals. This is because the cold temperatures can be detrimental to the plant’s survival. In these areas, celosias will not come back the following year unless they are treated as annuals and replanted.
It’s important to note that celosias are highly sensitive to frost. Even a light frost can cause significant damage to the plant, leading to its demise. Therefore, it’s crucial to protect your celosias if you want them to have a chance of returning the next year.
While celosias can withstand heat and drought to some extent, they are not well-suited for extremely cold conditions. If you live in a region with harsh winters, it may be best to treat celosias as annuals and replant them each year to ensure their survival.
Personally, I have had experience growing celosias as both perennials and annuals. In my garden located in zone 9, I have encountered difficulty in overwintering celosias, even with mild winters. Despite my efforts to protect them, the frost proved too harsh, and the plants did not return the following year. However, in my friend’s garden in zone 11, celosias have flourished as perennials, with beautiful blooms year after year.
Celosias have the potential to come back every year in zones 10-12 and tropical areas, where they can be grown as perennials. In regions with cooler climates and frost, celosias should be treated as annuals and replanted each year to ensure their survival. Frost can be detrimental to the plant, and even mild frosts can cause damage. So, if you want celosias to return year after year, it’s essential to provide them with the appropriate climate and protection.
