How to Grow Afternoon White
Cosmos bipinnatus
Your complete guide to growing Afternoon White.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsWhen to Plant Afternoon White
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | May – June | July – September | — |
| Zone 2 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 3 | April – May | June – August | — |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – July | — |
| Zone 5 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 6 | March – April | May – July | — |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 8 | February – March | April – June | — |
| Zone 9 | January – February | March – May | — |
| Zone 10 | January | February – April | — |
| Zone 11 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 12 | January | January – March | — |
| Zone 13 | January | January – March | — |
Companion Plants for Afternoon White
✓ Good companions
Repels mosquitoes, ants, and rodents while attracting beneficial pollinators
Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support in mixed plantings
Deters pests with fragrance and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling ants
Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs with natural compounds
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for pest control
Attracts beneficial predatory insects and pollinators while providing complementary colors
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants
Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants
Compete aggressively for nutrients and water, may stunt growth of smaller flowers
