Globe amaranth
Gomphrena globosa
Round purple-pink button flowers that hold their colour when dried.
Care and placement
Needs full sun (6–8 hours), well-drained soil that is not too rich, tolerates drought once established; water at the base; the flowers dry well and keep their colour.
Draft mature dimensions
Maximum height (cm): 60 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 40 cm
Things to consider
NC State Plant Toolbox does not flag Gomphrena globosa as poisonous (not absolute proof of safety). Use it as an ornamental or dried flower; do not eat or self-medicate.
How to grow and care for it
Planting and pot
Sow seed (soak first to speed germination) about 3 mm deep once soil is warm; germinates in 10–14 days at about 22 °C. Space 30–45 cm apart in well-drained soil.
Light
Full sun, 6–8+ hours; low light gives weak, leggy growth and fewer flowers.
Watering
Water young plants regularly until established, then it tolerates drought: one deep watering a week is usually enough. Avoid waterlogging that causes root and stem rot; water at the base.
Feeding
Feed lightly: low-nitrogen balanced fertilizer every 4–6 weeks, or just amend the soil with compost. Too much nitrogen reduces blooms.
Pruning
Pinch young plants for a bushier, flowerier habit; deadhead (some sources say it is unnecessary) or cut flowers for arrangements, and it keeps blooming through the season.
Propagation
Mainly from seed: start indoors 6 weeks before the last frost or sow directly when warm; harden off seedlings before transplanting. In Vietnam it can be sown year-round with enough warmth and sun.
Pests and common problems
Few problems: occasional aphids and spider mites; grey mould, leaf spot and powdery mildew when crowded and humid. Thin stems for airflow.
For more flowers
For many round blooms: full sun, not-too-rich soil, little nitrogen, early pinching and regular cutting. To dry: cut when fully open and hang upside down somewhere cool, dark and ventilated for a few weeks.