Globe Amaranth
Gomphrena globosa
flowerGlobe Amaranth is a heat-loving annual with clover-shaped, papery 1 in. blooms in saturated magenta, hot pink, soft pink, white, lavender, and orange on wiry 18 to 24 in. stems above mounded foliage. It blooms nonstop from midsummer through frost, shrugs off heat and drought, and dries to hold its color for years - one of the very best everlasting flowers for wreaths, dried bouquets, and confetti. Equally good for fresh cut, the wiry stems hold up in the vase for 7 to 10 days.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Bloom
~85 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
8 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Surface-sow or 1/4 in. deep
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light feed at planting
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; low needs
🌱 Growing Guide
Soak gomphrena seed overnight, then start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost at 70 to 75F. Transplant after frost into full sun and average, well-drained soil. Space plants 8 in. apart. Globe amaranth is drought-tolerant once established, so deep weekly watering is enough. Pinch young plants when 6 in. tall to force branching and double the bloom count. Plants are seldom troubled by pests and bloom heavily right through summer until the first hard frost.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 25
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 22
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Projected first bloom
Jul 16
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Zinnia — Heat-loving cut-flower partner that shares the same conditions and bloom window
- Statice — Pairs in the dried-flower bed and matches the everlasting bouquet palette
- Salvia — Provides nectar for bees and hummingbirds that also visit globe amaranth
- Lantana — Both heat-tough and pollinator-friendly; pairs well in containers
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Globe amaranth is rarely troubled; hose off the occasional cluster on tender tips and support ladybugs
Most likely in extreme heat and drought; raise humidity by deep watering at the base and rinsing the foliage
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Cut globe amaranth when the heads are fully open and showing rich color, but before they go to seed and turn dusty. Cut deeply, strip the lower leaves, and place stems in cool water for fresh use. For drying, bundle 5 to 10 stems with a rubber band and hang upside down in a warm, dry, dark spot for 2 to 3 weeks. Dried flowers hold their saturated color for years out of direct sunlight.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Globe amaranth feeds bees and butterflies through the hottest part of summer when many other annuals slow down, and its long bloom window makes it one of the most reliable pollinator plants for hot-summer regions. The blooms are edible and are brewed into a folk medicinal tea in Central and South America, where the species is native. Holding color for years dried, it is also a staple of everlasting wreaths and confetti.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.