Gardening Flowers Annuals How to Plant and Grow Globe Amaranth This annual can take the heat in your garden. By Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine is a lifelong gardener and long-time editor of gardening and home articles. Her work encompasses both print publications and online sites. She has hands-on experience with annuals and perennial beds, vegetable gardens, herbs, houseplants, and woodland management. Lynn has a B.A. in Journalism, Magazine Production from the University of Memphis and is a member of ACES, the American Copy Editors Society. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 17, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Care Pests and Problems Propagation Innovations Types Companion Plants Garden Plan FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) produces nearly nonstop flowers that make it an all-time favorite for beds, borders, and containers, where it attracts butterflies and takes the summer heat without missing a beat. Its bright pompoms last a long time in fresh and dried arrangements. Once you plant this versatile annual, you can step back and watch it add continual beauty to your landscape until frost. You'll have to look closely to see globe amaranth's tiny white or yellow flowers. What stands out are the plant's magenta bracts (modified, colorful leaves that look a little like petals) displayed in cloverlike flowerheads that seem to never quit, even in the hottest weather. Globe Amaranth Overview Genus Name Gomphrena Common Name Globe Amaranth Plant Type Annual Light Sun Height 1 to 4 feet Width 1 to 3 feet Flower Color Pink, Purple, Red, White Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Attracts Birds, Cut Flowers, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Propagation Seed Problem Solvers Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant Where to Plant Globe Amaranth Plant globe amaranth in full sun and well-draining soil in a garden bed or border where you can appreciate this plant's charm. It doesn't like alkaline soil, so amend the garden soil pH if needed. It also grows well in containers. In USDA zones 2-8, globe amaranth is an annual. In zones 9-11, it can be grown as a short-lived perennial. How and When to Plant Globe Amaranth Start seeds indoors in pots filled with sterile potting mix about six to eight before the last spring frost date. Press them into the soil about 1/8 inch and cover them lightly. Keep the pots in a warm 70°F-78°F location, and the seeds will germinate in one to two weeks. (They germinate faster if they are soaked overnight in water first.) When the seedlings reach 3-5 inches, harden them off and transplant them after the last spring frost, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Seed can also be sown outdoors directly in the garden after the last spring frost date for your region. The germination rate is low using this method, so use lots of seeds. Prepare a garden bed, adding compost to the garden soil to improve drainage. Sow the seeds in the bed and cover them lightly. Keep the bed moist until germination; then thin the seedlings to 12-18 inches apart. Whichever method you choose, you can pinch back young plants to create a bushier habit. Globe Amaranth Care Tips Globe amaranth are easy-to-grow annuals, although tall plants may need to be staked to keep them from flopping. Light Globe amaranth grows best in full sun. Shade reduces the number of blooms and causes the plants to be lanky. Soil and Water Globe amaranth needs average, well-drained soil with a decent amount of organic matter. Once established, globe amaranth tolerates drought but will perform best if given supplemental water throughout the growing season. Temperature and Humidity This annual's ability to withstand extremely hot and humid weather makes it invaluable in low-maintenance gardens and mixed containers. Fertilizer Globe amaranth doesn't need regular applications of fertilizer. The addition of compost at planting time or a compost mulch for established plants helps build healthy, supportive soil. Pruning Other than pinching back the stems to encourage bushiness, globe amaranth doesn't require pruning. Remove any dead or damaged foliage as it occurs. Some gardeners recommend cutting tall varieties back by half early in the growing season. Make the cut just above a leaf set to encourage bushy growth and lessen the need for staking the tallest plants. Potting and Repotting The shorter varieties of globe amaranth are particularly suited to containers as long as the container offers excellent drainage and is large enough for the plant. Larger varieties require larger pots and pair well with mounding or trailing companion plants. Fill the container with commercial potting soil and position it in full sun. There is no need to repot this annual. Pests and Problems Globe amaranth is unaffected by most pests. However, cool and damp weather may cause problems with powdery mildew and fungal leaf spots. Provide good air circulation among plants to prevent these problems. How to Propagate Globe Amaranth The best way to propagate globe amaranth is to harvest the seed from the plants at the end of the blooming season, store them, and then start those seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost of the following spring. To harvest the seed, wait for the flower head to dry completely on the plant and then cut it. Break apart the flower head with your fingers; the seeds are in a fuzzy covering at the base of the bracts. Remove the covering and leave the seeds to dry for another week. Then store them in an envelope for the next season. Also, because globe amaranth self-seeds when given the chance, small plants may appear around an existing plant. They can be moved to a new location or given away. When the parent plant is a cultivar, the harvested seeds and self-seeded plants won't grow into identical plants as the parent. Innovations One of the notable discoveries in recent years in the world of globe amaranth is Gomphrena 'Fireworks', which offers a much larger habit, extremely profuse blooming potential, and flatter clustered blossoms. The newer cultivar 'Pink Zazzle' delivers huge blooms on extremely drought-tolerant, free-flowering plants. Types of Globe Amaranth 'All Around Purple' Globe Amaranth Blaine Moats Gomphrena globosa 'All Around Purple' is a favorite for its rich purple blossoms. It grows to 18 inches tall. 'Bicolor Rose' Globe Amaranth Peter Krumhardt Gomphrena globosa 'Bicolor Rose' offers dusty-rose flowers that fade to white at the top. It grows 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide. 'Pink Zazzle' Globe Amaranth Rob Cardillo Gomphrena globosa 'Pink Zazzle' is a lower-growing variety with fuzzy foliage and jumbo pink blooms that won't quit. It grows to 18 inches tall. 'Fireworks' Globe Amaranth Denny Schrock Gomphrena globosa 'Fireworks' is a wonderful hybrid that can reach up to 4 feet tall and is constantly covered in neon pink blooms all season. 'Lavender Lady' Globe Amaranth Bryan McCay Gomphrena globosa 'Lavender Lady' bears lavender-pink flowers on a 2-foot-tall plant. 'QIS Purple' Globe Amaranth Peter Krumhardt Gomphrena globosa 'QIS Purple' bears glowing cerise-purple flowers on a 2-foot-tall plant. 'Strawberry Fields' Globe Amaranth Edward Gohlich Gomphrena haageana 'Strawberry Fields' offers unusual red flowers. It grows 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Globe Amaranth Companion Plants Lisianthus John Reed Lisianthus flowers make people ooh and ahh. Some varieties of this annual look like a blue rose. It's such an elegant flower you'd never guess it's native to American prairies. Lisianthus is one of the best cut flowers—it lasts in the vase for two to three weeks—but it can be challenging to grow. They're extremely tricky to grow from seed, so start with established seedlings. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil in full sun after all danger of frost has passed. Keep them moist but don't overwater. Tall varieties of lisianthus often need staking to keep their long stems from breaking, but newer dwarf varieties are more carefree. Strawflower Peter Krumhardt Enjoy summer's flowers into fall by growing this brightly colored charmer that dries right on the plant. Use it in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and homemade potpourri. This easy-to-grow, sun-loving annual is from Australia and is an excellent pick for hot, dry sites. Plant it outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in spring. Zinnia Peter Krumhardt Want fast color for just pennies? Plant zinnias! A packet of seeds will fill an area with gorgeous flowers in an amazing array of shapes and colors—even green—and it will happen in just weeks. There are dwarf types of zinnias, tall types, quill-leaf cactus types, spider types, multicolor, special seed blends for cutting, special blends for attracting butterflies, and more. Zinnias are so highly attractive to butterflies that you can count on having these fluttering guests dining in your garden every afternoon. But to attract the most, plant lots of tall, red or hot pink zinnias in a large patch. 'Big Red' is especially nice for this; the flowers are outstanding and excellent for cutting. Zinnias grow quickly from seed sown right in the ground and do best in full sun with dry to well-drained soil. Garden Plan for Globe Amaranth Annual Garden for Full Sun Planting annuals is about as close to "instant gratification" as you can get in your garden. Follow this annual garden plan for full sun to create a harmonious display of colorful flowers that will bloom throughout the entire growing season Download This Plan Frequently Asked Questions How do you overwinter globe amaranth in warm climates? In USDA zones 9-11, gardeners have some luck with growing globe amaranth as a short-lived perennial by cutting it back to the ground for the winter months. In the spring, the plant begins to grow again. In all climates, the plant is a prolific self-seeder, so new plants are likely to appear each spring. How long does globe amaranth bloom? Globe amaranth starts blooming in early summer and doesn't stop until frost—no deadheading required. They make excellent dried flowers, too, so if you cut some for drying, the show can keep going after a freeze. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit