I've grown Celosia ('Fresh Look') from seed for the last several years. I know they don't require strong light (or any light for that matter) to germinate. I've always just set them somewhere around (usually off to one side) other germinating seeds that do require light. Of course that way they are getting some light, but I've never paid any attention to how much until after they germinate.

I'm sure Celosia seed would germinate in darkness as well but I doubt that the percentage would be any better than when they are in light. I have always gotten a great germination percentage (90% to 100%) and have never germinated them in darkness.

Hope this is helpful,

Art

I grow many kinds of celosia. They do not need darkness to germinate. If anything, they need light. I sow them on top of the soil (indoors under lights) and sprinkle some milled sphagnum moss on top (as I do with all my seeds). They germinate fine this way.

In my garden, the seeds from last year that have fallen, germinate in abundance, and that happens even when I have turned compost into the soil. So they must germinate under many conditions. They are easy.

I have put them in normal daylight and they have popped up almost instantaneously. I subsequently discovered that research that said they needed darkness for germination was published in 1912! I think it may be time for an update...