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Gomphrena globosa Common Globe Amaranth

Edward F. Gilman, Teresa Howe, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Introduction

Common globe amaranth produces small, globe-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, yellow, or white. The purple form is most common in retail nurseries. Most horticulturists utilize common globe amaranth in a mass planting spacing them 12 to 18 inches apart. Others use them as small specimens in rock gardens or plant them in containers. They are also attractive planted in a row along a walk or patio as an edging plant. Flowers can be dried for indoor use if cut just before they are fully opened. The plant grows 18 inches tall and prefers full sun and a moderately dry soil. Common globe amaranth is resistant to heat and should not be over watered. It provides bright color to a garden or landscape where irrigation will be limited.

Full Form - Gomphrena globosa: Common globe amaranth.
Figure 1. Full Form - Gomphrena globosa: Common globe amaranth.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

General Information

Scientific name: Gomphrena globosa

Pronunciation: gom-FREE-nuh gloe-BOE-suh

Common name(s): common globe amaranth

Family: Amaranthaceae

Plant type: annual

USDA hardiness zones: all zones (Figure 2)

Planting month for zone 7: Jun; Jul; Aug

Planting month for zone 8: May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep

Planting month for zone 9: Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep

Origin: native to Africa, Central America, Mexico, North America, Pacific, South America, and temperate and tropical Asia

Invasive potential: not considered a problem species at this time and may be recommended by UF/IFAS faculty (reassess in 10 years)

Uses: border; edging; mass planting

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Credit:

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 0.5 to 1 feet

Plant habit: round

Plant density: dense

Growth rate: slow

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: oblong

Leaf venation: not applicable

Leaf type and persistence: not applicable

Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: not applicable

Fall characteristic: not applicable

Flower

Flower color: white; pink; purple; yellow

Flower characteristic: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit

Fruit length: no fruit

Fruit cover: no fruit

Fruit color: not applicable

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable

Current year stem/twig color: green

Current year stem/twig thickness: medium

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in full sun

Soil tolerances: acidic; sand; loam; clay

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: unknown

Plant spacing: 12 to 18 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Winter interest: not applicable

Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Propagation is by seed planted directly into the garden or started early indoors.

Pest and Diseases

Common globe amaranth is free of most pest and disease problems.

Publication #FPS-234

Release Date:February 12, 2024

Related Collections

Part of Shrubs Fact Sheets

  • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Organism ID

About this Publication

This document is FPS-234, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Revised October 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus, Department of Environmental Horticulture; Teresa Howe, former coordinator, research programs and services, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture, and Gail Hansen, professor, sustainable landscape design, Department of Environmental Horticulture; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Gail Hansen de Chapman
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