October has two birth flowers: the Marigold and Cosmos. Both stems prosper during the summer and fall and have rich legacies in history, gardening, and folk medicine.

The first October birth flower is the cosmo. When you need to honor a person with an October birthday, a gift inspired by the Cosmos is both meaningful and beautiful. This daisy-like flower varies in size, between 3 to 5 inches in diameter, and comes in a variety of colors. The orange Cosmos is iconic of October birthdays (and fits perfectly in any fall bouquet!), but its other color varieties that include pink, white, and purple are also wonderful options to put in a gift.

Our growing collection of fall flowers and classic bouquets have plenty of orange, pink, white, and purple flowers that radiate the beauty of the Cosmos. Whether you order bouquets by the stem or pick a mixed arrangement, you’ll be pleased with the many options in-store. This guide to the Cosmos will help you understand this elegant flower and find the perfect gift that reflects its deep meanings.

A Guide to Cosmos

1. The Meaning of Cosmos
2. A Gardener’s Dream
3. A Healing Flower
4. Gifts Inspired by Cosmos Stems

The Cosmos flower that is commonly seen in gardens or fall centerpieces either belongs to the genus Cosmos Sulphureus (yellow or orange Cosmos) or Cosmos Bipinnatus (purple, pink, or white Cosmos). However, they all come from the same family attributed to Sunflowers, Asters, and Daisies. The name Cosmos derives from “κόσμος” (kosmos), an ancient Greek word that means “order” or “arrangement.” It refers to the world and its cosmic organization that reflects harmony, peace, love, and beauty. Likewise, the Cosmos radiates lovely beauty in its symmetrical, orderly blooms. The velvety petals resemble the simple elegance of a daisy, while its sweet, sugary scent makes it even more inviting.

Different shades of the Cosmos have slightly altered meanings. For instance, bright-colored Cosmos flowers typically symbolize wholeness and peace, while pink Cosmos flowers reflect a mother’s love and general affection. The white Cosmos can also symbolize purity, balance, and modesty. However, no matter what shade you pick, the universal meaning of harmony and love remains.

If you’re a new gardener, Cosmos flowers should be on your list of first plants. Start the seeds about five weeks before the spring frost ends and then transfer them to your outdoor garden in warmer weather. They thrive in sunny areas and can provide shade coverage to more delicate plants as they grow. These hardy seeds can even last in poor soil conditions and be directly planted outside as well. As they grow, they can reach heights between 1-5 feet!

Cosmos stems are good for the environment because they attract many important pollinators and predator insects in the summer like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Since pollinators and predator insects help keep garden pests away, planting Cosmos flowers will help you naturally protect any other crops you cultivate. Also, the Cosmos is non-toxic and safe around children and pets.

In Central America and Brazil, the Cosmos has deep roots in traditional medicine as a Malaria treatment. When converted into an infused oil, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are especially useful. The Cosmos has several components like dimethoxychalcone, butein, and quercetin, which have valid uses in folk medicine. Ointments with Cosmos can soothe eczema flare-ups and work as an antiviral supplement. In alternative medicine, the Cosmos has even been used to ease symptoms of fibromyalgia.

The Cosmos has other practical uses. The Cosmos Sulphureus’s leaves are edible, while the other colors shouldn’t be eaten. In South America, the Cosmos flower can also be used to dye clothing in bright colors like orange and pink. With there being much more to discover about plants around the world, more studies can bring out more useful ways to benefit from this flowering plant.

If you have cosmos directly from a garden, you can use some methods to sear the stem and keep these flowers in a vase for up to 10 days. When it comes to nationwide shipping and delivery, this 10-day window can be challenging to keep Cosmos in steady supply. However, there are many gifts and mixed arrangements that are inspired by October’s birth flower so that you always have a beautiful option for October birthdays. Here are some lovely birthday flowers or fall centerpieces:

• The Rae: With all the orange and yellow you could ever want from a fall arrangement, The Rae’s graceful appearance is full of Cosmos inspo. With wispy cream flowers to make this color scheme whimsically sweet, this is an October gift you’ll be proud to give. A lovely arrangement of Roses, Alstroemeria, and Gypsophila stems combine to provide a delicate balance of texture and colors to create an artful autumn escape.
• The Home Gardener: So you want to give an actual Cosmos? Then this 6" x 3" glass mister with a Simple Indoor Planter Kit called “Twilight Cosmos” makes it possible to plant Cosmos seeds any time of the year. The Home Gardener is an indoor grow kit with a self-watering system that makes sure your Cosmos seedlings have everything they need to thrive. Comes with non-GMO Cosmos seeds in a variety of colors that include white, purple, pink, and orange.

October birthdays are something special, and we have just what you need to make someone’s day great. Whether you need something sweet for your home or need the best October birthday gift, our variety of Cosmos-inspired bouquets, gifts, and plants make it easy to be a thoughtful gift-giver. Order next-day delivery or schedule a bouquet’s arrival in advance with just a few clicks at checkout. We also offer a flower subscription service so you can get a steady arrival of seasonal favorites at a discount.