Celosia argentea comes from Africa and tropical Asia, where it naturalises in disturbed ground and has been harvested as a vegetable for generations. The species name means silvery, a reference to the shining white bracts of the wild form, though the cultivated varieties have pushed far into reds, pinks, oranges, and golds that the original plant never dreamed of. The Plumosa Group, to which most garden varieties belong, produces tapering feathery plumes on upright stems; the Cristata Group crests into the dense, folded, coral-like forms that give the cockscomb its common name; and the Spicata Group produces slender metallic-toned spikes in pink or yellow. All bloom from late summer into fall and hold their colour well as dried flowers.

At under eighteen inches tall, this species fits comfortably in borders, pots, and cutting gardens. It asks for full sun, amended well-drained soil, and warmth — start seeds indoors and transplant only after temperatures are reliably settled, or direct sow into warm soil. It tolerates dry, porous soils once established, handling drought with more equanimity than most annuals of its flamboyance. The young leaves and flowers are edible with a mild flavour, and the plants will reseed freely if allowed to go to seed, sometimes returning in surprising places. Slugs and snails take an interest in young plants; crowding and excess moisture encourage rot and should be avoided.