Gomphrena globosa, also known as Globe amaranth, is a herbaceous species of flowering plants in the Amaranthaceae family. This pretty flower is native to different regions of Central America, such as Guatemala and Panama. It mostly occurs in habitats like streamsides, cultivated lands, waste grounds, or disturbed sites.
Globe amaranth has a special gift for us – stunning hybrids. If you are a picky grower and want a particular colour in your collection, this plant might be exactly what you need! Some of the most popular Globe amaranth cultivars are ‘All Around Purple’, ‘Audray White’, ‘Bicolor Rose’, ‘Fireworks’, ‘Gnome Series’, ‘Lavender Lady’, ‘QIS Formula Mix’, and ‘Strawberry Fields’.
Keep reading to learn more about growing Globe Amaranth!
About Globe Amaranth
- Gomphrena globosa is a super low-demanding plant overall. It can basically thrive in a wide range of lighting conditions, temperatures, and soil types. Moreover, the plant is somewhat drought-tolerant and grows just fine without any extra fertilizer.
- Globe amaranth plays a big part as a magnet for various species of pollinators. Its cute flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, swallowtails, and hummingbirds.
- Globe Amaranth enjoys cultural importance in different regions worldwide. Because it keeps its shape and colour after drying, Hawaiians use Globe amaranth in long-lasting garlands called leis. In Nepal, girls put the same Globe amaranth garland around their brothers’ necks for protection.
- Globe amaranth has blossoms that are rich in betacyanins, having multiple applications as supplements and additives in livestock feed, cosmetics, and the food industry. The betacyanins have a red-violet colour and work well as a natural food dye.
- In traditional medicine, Globe amaranth comes with a very good reputation. The plant has antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, detoxifying, and purifying properties. It is also an effective treatment against high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, bronchial issues, wounds, fatigue, and stress.
- This adorable flower can have lots of uses in landscape decorations. It looks absolutely fabulous in rock gardens, cutting gardens, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, borders, beds, edging plantings, containers, and everlasting dried or fresh flower arrangements.
- Globe amaranth is a perfect companion for many other superb species of plants. The most suitable companions include Black-Eyed Susan, Blue Anise Sage, Borage, Coneflower, Dahlia, Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’, Lobelia, Mealy Cup Sage, Papyrus, Petunia ‘Supertunia Honey’, Purple Fountain Grass, and Sage.
- All parts of Globe amaranth are edible for both humans and animals. Globe Amaranth is not toxic so you can plant this flower anywhere near your curious kids or pets without safety concerns.
Globe Amaranth Features: An Overview
- Globe amaranth belongs to the Gomphrena genus that consists of about 155 species of flowering plants. It shares this genus with other beauties like G. agrestis, G. canescens, G. haageana, G. prostrata, and G. sonorae.
- Gomphrena globosa is a herbaceous flowering annual. Depending on the cultivar, the plant can reach from 6 inches to 4 feet (15 cm to 1.2 m) in both height and width.
- Its foliage contains numerous long, simple, hairy, and green leaves that sometimes can have slim purplish margins. The leaves grow oppositely arranged in pairs on tall, sturdy, thick, branchy stems that can exhibit shades of green, magenta, or brown.
- Globe amaranth is a prolific bloomer that produces blossoms from early summer to the first sign of frost, usually in early winter. The plant exhibits masses of dense, round, long-lasting clusters of flowers on long stalks.
- Due to the magic of hybridization, the flowers of Globe amaranth have a generous colour palette. They can appear in various shades of white, orange, red, yellow, pink, purple, lilac, or magenta.
Growing Globe Amaranth
Globe amaranth is one of the greatest plants you can possibly have in your garden or home. This flower has little to no demands from its owner, so it will be super simple to please it during its lifetime. However, you will still have to meet those few environmental requirements this plant comes with. But this is much easier than you might expect!
In terms of lighting, Globe amaranth will grow perfectly in a wide variety of conditions. This lovely plant can tolerate everything in-between full sunlight to partial shade. Be careful with those locations that provide too much shade, though! This kind of exposure will make your Globe amaranth become somewhat lanky and also reduce its blooming power.
Temperature-wise, Globe amaranth can do well in any region worldwide due to its friendly and easy-going nature. Since this is a true annual species, it does not really need particular temperatures to last for a longer time. The only time when you should worry about the overall temperatures is if you want to start your own Globe amaranth plants at home. But this is a detail for another chapter in our guide, so keep reading to find out more!
Globe amaranth will look amazing when planted in masses and it can enhance your garden design when combined with other attractive flowering plants or ornamental grasses. Globe amaranth plants have no problems with pests, but overcrowded specimens will encounter fungal diseases like powdery mildew with time. The best method to avoid this from happening is to avoid overcrowding them and to keep an eye out for these problems.
Planting Globe Amaranth
In general, Globe amaranth tends to require a bit of space to grow and develop. As mentioned above, you will have to plant your Globe amaranth plants at a distance of one foot (30 cm) apart from one another. This planting trick will help you provide your flowers with excellent air circulation and avoid overcrowding them.
- Beautiful -- Large, premium packets of Red Garnet Amaranth seed. A stunning and tall plant that attracts a lot of attention in your landscape with its vivid red hue. Minimum of 1 g per packet.
- Productive -- Red Garnet Amaranth can reach 6’ or more and produces edible leaves and seed heads that can be eaten or left to feed goldfinches and other wildlife. It is lovely in flower beds or your vegetable garden!
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- Use to create soups, breads, and dressings.
Last update on 2023-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When it comes to its growing medium, Globe amaranth prefers those substrates that come with a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (6.1 to 6.5). This plant can do just fine in any basic garden soil, but it can also perform well in slightly sandy substrates. However, you must avoid planting it in heavy clay types because it will not handle it very well.
Fertilizing your Globe amaranth will not be a mandatory process in its caring routine. This flower is a light feeder that can grow healthy and happy with only a touch of organic matter. Make sure you mulch your plant with compost at the moment of planting to provide it with the needed nutrients. If you are doing this, you can forget about feeding your Globe amaranth for good.
Watering Globe Amaranth
First things first, you should know that Globe amaranth is a big lover of moisture. But we have great news for you, gardener! This plant is not susceptible to root rot, so it will not be a tragedy if you happen to over-water yours once in a while. And if you live in a climate with regular rainfalls, your Globe amaranth will get the wanted moisture only from rainwater.
If not, you will have to adopt a watering routine for your beloved Globe amaranth. We suggest you spoil your plant with approximately an inch (2.5 cm) of water once every week. And, as if this plant is not absolutely perfect already, it can also tolerate occasional dry spells. In other words, your Globe amaranth will not hesitate to forgive you in case you forget to give it another drink at the right time.
Propagating Globe Amaranth
Since Globe amaranth plants look at their best when you plant them in masses, it is always a great idea to propagate them for the most glamorous show. The only viable method to propagate yours is using seeds. But the great news – you will not have to spend any extra money on Globe amaranth seeds! You can simply collect them from the flowers at the end of their blooming period. Easy-peasy!
Before we begin, keep in mind that you should collect as many seeds as you can from your Globe amaranth plants. In general, germination rates are pretty low for this species, so it is better to sow more seeds to increase your chances of success. Moreover, you will have to save the seeds until the time of planting is right, usually about six weeks before the last frost in your area.
Sow the seeds indoors in a container filled with fresh potting soil. Place the container in a dark room and make sure the soil has between 70 and 77 °F (21-25 °C). Some gardeners also use an electric heat mat to promote germination, so you can check it out too if you want more Globe amaranth beauties around.
With proper care, germination will typically occur in several weeks and the flowers will appear in eight weeks or so. Once the warmth of spring shows up, you can safely transplant your Globe amaranth seedlings outdoors in your garden. Likewise, you can replant some of them in their individual pots and surprise your family members or friends with this marvellous plant.
In Conclusion
It is safe to say that Gomprehna globosa a.k.a. Globe amaranth can easily meet the expectations of every type of gardener out there. This plant is absolutely exquisite, very easy-going overall, and comes along with lots of cultivars to suit our taste. Also, although it is an annual plant, you will have it around for a long time thanks to its receptivity to propagation. If you do not already have a Globe amaranth in your plant family, this is the perfect time to find your predestinated variety and get it!
