It was likely originally native to India, where it was saved from extinction in cultivation by the religious significance attached to the variety by Indian, Burmese, and Chinese gardeners who planted it near temples.

Its elliptic leaves lanceolate, are green or red-tanned with terminal inflorescences, thick and flattened, velvety, in the form of ridge crest, in the colors red, whitish, roseate or creamy yellow.

The plant likes well-drained soils rich in organic matter and prefers full or partial sun.

The plants are susceptible to leaf spot and root rot which can be managed with proper watering.

The variety of shapes and colors of flowers and leaves make the cultivars of Celosia argentea globally popular ornamental plants.

About the varieties of cristata and plumosa are only cultural references from India, Burma and China handed down,[clarification needed] where they have long been planted in the vicinity of religious sites and gardens.

It is the most widely used leafy vegetable in southern Nigeria, and is also part of the diet in Benin, Congo and Indonesia.

Due to the resistance to pests and disease and the higher crop yield, the plant appears as a good alternative to amaranth.

The mechanism appears to be a compound produced by C. argentea and functioning within several meters perimeter by means of inducing suicidal germination in Striga seed by as much as 68% compared to cotton which was taken as the standard.

[12] The flowers are a traditional though now seldom-used garnish for desserts, rice cakes and flower-infused alcoholic beverages in Korea.