How to Grow Gomphrena
Gomphrena globosa
Gomphrena is a tender annual that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost and plant out only after all frost risk has passed. It is very heat and drought tolerant once established — avoid overwatering and rich soil, which produce foliage at the expense of flowers. Harvest or deadhead globe heads regularly for continuous colour from summer through frost. Flowers dry beautifully and hold their colour for years.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 18°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light feeding only. Gomphrena thrives in well-drained, average to poor soil — excessive nitrogen produces lush foliage with fewer flowers.
- Heat-loving tender annual prized for its long-lasting, papery globe flowers in magenta, pink, purple, white, and orange. Extremely heat and drought tolerant once established. One of the best plants for dried flower arrangements as the colour holds for years. Blooms from summer through first frost.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 18°C+
- Germination temperature
- 21–26°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 25 cm |
| Row spacing | 35 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.5 cm |
| Mature height | 50 cm |
| Mature spread | 30 cm |
Upright branching tender annual. Space evenly for good air circulation and to support continuous flower production through the season.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small green or black insects on shoot tips and flower buds, causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew deposits
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with fatty acid-based insecticide
- Encourage ladybirds and lacewings
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Irregular holes in young leaves and slime trails around plants, worst in wet weather
- Use beer traps or copper tape barriers
- Apply organic slug pellets (ferric phosphate)
- Encourage natural predators such as hedgehogs and ground beetles
- Ferric phosphate-based pellets
Disease Root Rot
Symptoms: Wilting and yellowing despite moist soil, blackened stem base, plant collapse
Treatment: Remove and dispose of affected plants. Improve drainage before replanting
Prevention: Avoid overwatering. Plant in well-drained soil and do not allow water to stand around the base
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 18°C |
| Germination temperature | 21–26°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Gomphrena?
- Plant Gomphrena 25cm apart with 35cm between rows.
- When does Gomphrena flower?
- Gomphrena typically flowers approximately 70 days after transplanting.
- Is Gomphrena frost hardy?
- Gomphrena is classified as Tender.
