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common globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)

Gomphrena globosa is an upright, branching herb that may form a dense clump, with hairs on the whole plant or on young growth. It is an annual herb but can be grown as a perennial in warmer zones.

LightGrow in full sun; insufficient sunlight may make flowering difficult or reduce the number of flowers.
WaterDuring growth, regular watering with moist but well-drained conditions is preferred; established plants tolerate drought and relatively dry soil.
TemperatureIn warmer hardiness zones it can be grown as a perennial, and another source assigns it a separate cold-hardiness rating. It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing.
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common globe amaranth illustration

Overview

Gomphrena globosa is an upright, branching herb that may form a dense clump, with hairs on the whole plant or on young growth. It is an annual herb but can be grown as a perennial in warmer zones.

Origin and habitat

Gomphrena globosa is native to tropical America, but sources differ on the more precise native range, variously placing it in Central America, from Mexico to Brazil, in Central and South America, or in South America. Its habitat is described as tropical forest, and it is also widely cultivated. It is a tropical plant adapted to hot conditions, with heat tolerance and some drought tolerance.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, giving a range of about 15–90 cm. Mature spread is 15.24–50 cm. The hairy, entire leaves are simple and opposite, ranging in shape from narrow and elongated to oblong, elliptic, or ovate. The dense flower heads are globose to oblong, with tiny, inconspicuous true flowers and papery ornamental structures in colors including magenta, purple, red, pink, white, orange, and pale purple; sources differ in their descriptions of flower-head and flower size, and flowering occurs mainly from summer into early autumn or autumn.

Light

Grow in full sun; insufficient sunlight may make flowering difficult or reduce the number of flowers.

Watering

During growth, regular watering with moist but well-drained conditions is preferred; established plants tolerate drought and relatively dry soil.

Temperature and dormancy

In warmer hardiness zones it can be grown as a perennial, and another source assigns it a separate cold-hardiness rating. It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

Well-drained soil with moderate fertility is suitable, and the plant can adapt to loam, sand, clay, and chalk; sources differ on preferred soil reaction, with one favoring moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic soil and another allowing acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.

Feeding

It is generally reported not to require heavy feeding; if fertilizer is used, a source recommends one lower in nitrogen.

Propagation

Propagation is mainly by seed, with spring sowing considered suitable; the seeds need only a thin covering of soil. Seedlings can be planted out after true leaves develop, and a Japanese source notes that larger seedlings may establish less readily after transplanting.

Common problems

Significant pest problems are generally uncommon, and deer are also reported not to favor browsing the plant. Significant disease problems are generally reported to be uncommon. Insufficient sunlight is reported to make flowering difficult or sparse. The plant tolerates high temperatures and has some to good drought tolerance; planting out after the last frost is recommended by one source.

Identification

The most conspicuous features are the rounded, brightly colored flower heads, which retain their shape and color for a long time after drying; the true flowers are very small, and the visible display is formed mainly by papery structures.

Photos

Gomphrena globosa
📷 Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 · source
Gomphrena globosa
📷 Lauren Ware, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laure · CC BY · source

Sources