Description
Cosmos, wild cosmos or Ulam Raja, Cosmos caudatus, is an incredibly productive edible/medicinal plant. This plant is an annual, but can be regularly managed as a short-lived perennial. The leaves are eaten for their high mineral and antioxidant content, which is believed to contribute to increased blood circulation, bone strength and general good health. Wild cosmos creates a lot of biomass and can reach up to nine feet tall by about four feet wide. The plant starts off slowly, growing to a height of about two feet in the first few weeks, and then takes off to become the giant it wants to be. They usually don’t start flowering until they are four to five feet tall and flower continually until their death.
Propagation
Wild cosmos is grown from its prolific seeds. Seeds are sown at the soil surface. However, they will sprout through fine textured mulch as well.
Care
This plant is carefree. Sprinkle around seeds, wait and watch them grow. Their lifecycle seems to be about nine months if left unchecked. To prolong their life, I usually allow them to seed heavily for a little while, collect all the seeds and then cut the plant back to waist height. This will spark them to regrow vigorously, again; this process can be done continuously.
Eating
The tender young leaves and stems are commonly eaten raw. Eat from a plant that has not yet flowered as the flavor becomes more intense after flowering. If managed by regularly pruning off flower stalks, the plant will continue to grow leafy material suitable for consumption.
Where to obtain planting materials
Ask a friend for some seeds. I’ve never seen this plant for sale, and I only recently discovered that it’s edible, and what its scientific name is.
My Garden
Wild cosmos is one of my staple biomass-creating plants in my systems. I typically create successional cover crop mixes creating a continuous blanket of biomass to protect soils and to create living mulch to cut and feed to my other cropped plants. Where I have it growing as a hedge, it helps with weed suppression, by shading and preventing germination of less desirable seedlings. Cosmos flowers attract lots of bees and other pollinators!
Happy Gardening!
Hi, do they grow in part sun/ full sun and what zones in Hawaii are the root and flower edible also or just the leaves.
hey grow best is full sun or part shade. i did not discover if the roots and flowers are edible of this particular species. cosmos should thrive in most climates on the island except the high mauka locations
Spencer,
I enjoy your website. Cosmos is something I grow here on the mainland. Mine might reach 3-4 feet and not nearly so bushy. I haven’t attempted to eat before but will give them a try.
I look forward to seeing your progress again soon. Keep Julie smiling!
Mike
the flavor is a bit strong on them and i havent fully decided if i like them quite yet. i do know a lot of other cosmos species the flowers are edible
thank you for this great post & for all the posts you do! i live in puna as well, so it’s very helpful!
i got these cosmos seeds from the store: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EUOdFXdUwAAqj0E?format=jpg&name=900×900
do you think these will work? i don’t know if they’re cosmos caudatus..but i also don’t know if it matters. they also had a seed mix with pink & white cosmos. maybe that’s what i should have gotten?
thank you!
youre welcome! that picture is a different species, Cosmos sulphureus. i believe it is also edible. ive grown that one as well. lovely flowers!
thank you!! ^_^
Hi ! Do you sell the seeds or plant of Cosmos Caudatus (Ulam Raja / Kenikir )?
where are you located? i could send some seed
hallo i am munich germany i want to the f Cosmos Caudatus (Ulam Raja )seeds and have them send to me germany your help will be super thanks
steve
@Tropical Self Sufficiency ; Sorry I just read your message today 5/15/22.
I would love that if you can send me some! Thank you for your offer.
I am in the US.
Dear Suzie,Good day to you.May I know where are you from?If within Malaysia.then I can mail to you some freshly collected Cosmos CAUDATUS for free.FYI,I have many matured plants on the ground n also quite a number in flower pots.
Hope to hear from you soon
Goh
Hello Goh Hua Kuang,
Unfortunately I’m not in Malaysia. I’m in the Bay Area, California. I want very much to grow this and am trying to find sources of seeds or plants that I an buy.
hallo i am from munich germany i want to the f Cosmos Caudatus (Ulam Raja )seeds and have them send to me germany your help will be super thanks
Goh Hua Kuang; Sorry I just read your message today 5/15/22. Thank you for your offer I would love that! I am in the US though. Good day to you!
Hi Mr.Goh,
A very good day to you.
Would you still have the seeds/plant cuttings?
I would very much like to plant some Raja Ulam in my garden.
Located in KL. Hoping to hear from you soon! 🙂
Can I buy some of the seeds please.
where are you located?
Hello, I’m Molly and just came across this thread.
I’m just now discovering the wonders of cosmos caudatus. I too want to buy seeds to grow them. I live in the Bay Area, California. Please let me know if you will sell seeds to me. Thank you and Regards,
Molly
Hello, I’m Molly from the Bay Area, California. I’m desperately trying to find cosmos caudatus seeds or plants . Can i buy from you or do uou know ehere i can?
Thanks in advance,
Molly
Hello,
I’m Resantika from Netherland.
I like to buy cosmos caudatus ( ulam raja) seeds please?
I Trying for so long to Find this cosmos caudatus.
Please let me know, if you Will sell it to me.
Thank u.
Regards from Netherland, Rotterdam.
E. Resantika.