{"product_id":"wild-cosmos","title":"Wild Cosmos","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ewild cosmos\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ecosmos caudatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edays to maturity: 50\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eplant spacing: 2 plants per square foot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esunlight requirements: 8-14 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elook out for: spider mites, thrips\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eharvest notes: harvest flowers and leaves as needed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eannual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWild cosmos, aka Kings Salad, Kenikir or Ulam Raja is a special plant we have been growing for just the last couple of seasons, but in that short time we have fallen for it hard.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNative to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003ethe Caribbean, Central America, and parts of North and South America\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e, it was brought by the Spanish to Southern Philippines and eventually made its way to Malaysia and beyond where it is commonly served as salad. Their leaves taste like unripe mangoes with a slightly bitter aftertaste and make a good local alternative for arugula. The small pink and white flowers are also edible. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eTraditionally the leaves have been used boost blood circulation, strengthen the bones and reduce body heat. The leaves lower blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s4\"\u003e and are\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e rich in antioxidants and polyphenols and have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s5\"\u003eIt can be hard to find summer friendly flowering plants that have a sprawling wildlflower look (most of them are tropical looking, with large waxy leaves) which is one reason why we are always reaching for the wild cosmos in our landscaping projects. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePruning the growing tip will encourage bushier plants, and if you let them grow naturally they will get up to 6 feet tall and then burst with sprays of tiny baby pink flowers. Prune the flowers off before they make seed and it will continue making new growth and more flowers. Save a couple of dry seeds to save for your next planting, or let it go completely wild and it will seed itself all over your yard. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p7\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s7\"\u003eAnother fun thing about Wild Cosmos is that they go to sleep at night. “Nyctinasty” is the circadian rhythm of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ehigher plants in response to the onset of darkness, or a plant \"sleeping\". Wild Cosmos plants go to bed every night by folding their leaves up into themselves, which is pretty cute.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little River Cooperative","offers":[{"title":"4\" potted plant","offer_id":42665011740754,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 gal potted plant","offer_id":42665011773522,"sku":null,"price":12.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 gal potted plant","offer_id":42665011806290,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0535\/4461\/products\/ScreenShot2023-04-04at10.56.14AM.png?v=1681236240","url":"https:\/\/littlerivernursery.co\/products\/wild-cosmos","provider":"Little River Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}