Cosmos vs Red Maple

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Cosmos (Zones 2-11)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Acer rubrum
Family	Asteraceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Adaptable
Height	5'	70'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mexico	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Cosmos

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View CosmosProfile →View Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cosmos and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cosmos grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Cosmos and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

Cosmos needs full sun and low water, while Red Maple needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Cosmos or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Cosmos at 5'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Cosmos spreads 2'.

Are Cosmos and Red Maple deer resistant?

Yes, both Cosmos and Red Maple are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Red Maple?

Both Cosmos and Red Maple have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Cosmos	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Cosmos bipinnatus	Acer rubrum
Family	Asteraceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧 Low	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained, Poor	Adaptable
Height	5'	70'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, White, Red	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Mexico	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Cosmos

✓Direct sow after frost.
✓Don't fertilize — rich soil produces leaves not flowers.
✓Deadhead or let self-seed.
✓Tall varieties may need staking in wind.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Cosmos if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 2–11.

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cosmos and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Cosmos grows in USDA zones 2-11, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. Both plants can grow together in zones 3 through 9.

Do Cosmos and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

Cosmos needs full sun and low water, while Red Maple needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Cosmos or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Cosmos at 5'. Red Maple spreads 40' while Cosmos spreads 2'.

Are Cosmos and Red Maple deer resistant?

Yes, both Cosmos and Red Maple are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Cosmos or Red Maple?

Both Cosmos and Red Maple have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.