Some everlasting flowers need coaxing. Globe amaranth does not. Give it a warm start, a sunny spot and very little else, and from midsummer until the first frost it produces a steady stream of round, papery flower heads that look exactly the same in a vase in January as they did on the plant in August. If you want one easy annual to start a dried-flower habit, this is it.
This guide covers growing Gomphrena globosa from seed: when to sow, how to get the fluffy seed to germinate, planting out, care through summer and the simple trick to drying the heads so they keep their colour. For the bigger picture, see our list of the best flowers for drying.
- Sow indoors March–April at 20–24 °C; germinates in 10–14 days
- Plant out after the last frost, 25 cm apart, in full sun
- Flowers July until the first frost; around 35 cm tall
- Drying cut when the heads are fully coloured; hang for 2–3 weeks
What is globe amaranth?
Globe amaranth is a half-hardy annual from Central America, grown for its clover-like flower heads in purple, magenta, pink, white and orange-red. What looks like a flower is mostly bracts: stiff, papery scales that hold their shape and colour long after cutting. That is why gomphrena dries better than almost anything else in the garden, and why it has been a staple of cottage-garden drying beds for generations.
The plants are compact and bushy, so they suit the front of a border, a raised bed or a large pot as well as a cutting patch. Our Gomphrena globosa mix grows to around 35 cm, with a spread of colours that work beautifully together once dried.
When to sow globe amaranth
Gomphrena needs warmth and a long season, so in most of the UK and northern Europe it is started indoors. Sow from early March to mid-April for plants that flower from July. A May sowing still works, but flowering starts later and the drying harvest is shorter. In warm climates with long summers you can sow direct once the soil is reliably above 18 °C.
- Soak the seed overnight The seed sits in a woolly coat that repels water. A few hours in lukewarm water softens it and gives faster, more even germination.
- Sow into moist seed compost Space seeds 2 cm apart in a tray or put two per cell, then cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Gomphrena germinates best in darkness, so do not leave it on the surface.
- Keep it warm: 20–24 °C A heated propagator or a warm spot indoors is ideal. Seedlings appear in 10–14 days; move them into bright light as soon as they show.
- Prick out and pinch Pot on into 7–9 cm pots when they have two true leaves. Pinch out the tip at about 10 cm to make bushier plants with more flowering stems.
- Harden off and plant out after frost Give them a week or two outside by day before planting 25 cm apart in late May or early June. Our hardening off guide shows the routine.
Growing on: sun, sharp drainage and little fuss
Globe amaranth loves heat and tolerates drought once established, which makes it one of the more forgiving annuals in a dry summer. Plant it in the sunniest spot you have, in light, well-drained soil. Heavy, wet ground and shade give lanky plants with few flowers. Water during dry spells for the first month, then only when the soil is dry a few centimetres down.
Feeding is rarely needed. Rich soil and high-nitrogen feeds push leaf growth at the expense of flowers, so skip the fertiliser unless your soil is very poor. In pots, a liquid feed every three weeks from July is enough.
Cutting and drying the flower heads
Cut for drying
When the head is fully round and coloured right through.
- Cut long stems on a dry morning, after the dew has gone
- Strip the leaves and tie in bunches of 10–15 stems
- Hang upside down somewhere dark and airy for 2–3 weeks
Cut for the vase
Fresh stems last up to two weeks in water.
- Pick when the first heads are open; side buds follow
- Change the water every few days
- Stems that fade in the vase can still be dried afterwards
Regular cutting keeps the plants producing new stems, so do not be shy. Heads cut too young, while still small and pale at the base, tend to shrink as they dry. Dried gomphrena keeps its colour for a year or more out of direct sunlight, and the short-stemmed heads are perfect for wiring into a dried flower wreath.
Common mistakes
- Sowing too cold. Below about 18 °C germination is slow and patchy. Warmth is the single biggest factor.
- Leaving seed uncovered. Unlike many small seeds, gomphrena prefers darkness to germinate.
- Planting out too early. A cold night in May checks growth for weeks. Wait until frost has passed and nights stay mild.
- Too much water and feed. Soft, leafy plants flower less and flop.
- Drying in daylight. Sun fades the bracts quickly. Dry and display out of direct light.
Frequently asked questions
Is globe amaranth an annual or a perennial?
In the UK and northern Europe it is grown as a half-hardy annual: it does not survive frost, so you sow it fresh every spring.
How long does gomphrena take to flower from seed?
Roughly 12–14 weeks. A March sowing usually starts flowering in early to mid July.
Can I grow gomphrena in pots?
Yes. Its compact habit suits containers. Use free-draining compost, a sunny spot and a pot of at least 20 cm per plant.
Do bees like globe amaranth?
Yes. Bees and butterflies visit the small true flowers that open between the bracts, so it earns its place in a pollinator-friendly bed as well.
Globe amaranth is the flower that converts people to drying: one packet, one sunny bed, and a winter of colour. Find it under Gomphrena globosa, browse all everlasting flowers and cut flower seeds, see the full seed shop, or explore the rest of our growing guides.
