Dragon's Breath Cock's Comb

Dragon’s Breath® is a red-flowered celosia with distinctive green-red foliage and a late, extra-large plume display. Sakata lists this exact selection for bedding, cut flowers, containers, beds, and larger landscapes, with a mature size of 24 inches tall by 16 inches wide. The breeder notes that heat and humidity can intensify its red foliage and flowers. [Sakata Ornamentals’ Dragon’s Breath profile](https://sakataornamentals.com/plantname/dragons-breath-red/) provides these selection-specific details. ## Garden Use Use this compact plant as a vivid summer accent in a sunny bed or container, or grow several together for a repeated block of red plumes. The green-red leaves give color before and between flower displays. At roughly two feet tall and 16 inches wide, it fits smaller spaces more readily than many tall celosias, while still making a strong cut flower. ## Siting and Care Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil. General celosia guidance from [North Carolina Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/celosia/) notes that most soils are suitable except heavy clay and that celosia does not like wet roots. Water during dry weather to support steady growth, but avoid leaving pots or beds waterlogged. The Sakata profile reports good performance under hot, humid conditions; this does not mean the plant should be kept dry. ## Maintenance Cut plumes for arrangements as they develop, and remove faded heads if you want to limit reseeding. Allow drainage from containers and avoid planting before frost danger has passed. The breeder’s 4–5-month crop time refers to full plume development under production conditions, so outdoor timing varies by climate.