Gomphrena red globe amaranth

Versatile and works well for landscape and garden use. 

Vivid coloured flowers suited to fresh and dried use.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn’t be allowed to dry out.

It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments.

Plant height : 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches

Season: summer

Quantity: 15 – 20 seeds per pack

Red gompherna plant care

You can direct-sow globe amaranth seeds in the garden in a well prepared , good draining surface , or you can start seeds in cocopeat coins or using seed trays.

Soak globe amaranth seeds in water for a day or two before planting. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep, cover them with growing medium and tamp the soil down well. Keep the potting mix moist, with seeds germinating in 7 to 14 days .

Gomphrena are Hardy plants and they can tolerate a wide range of temperature 20-50 degree Celsius.

Space the seedlings 12 to 18 inches apart in the garden for mass plantings. For cut flowers space plants 6 to 8 inches from each other to stimulate longer stem production. Also pinch out the first flowers that appear to encourage bushier plants and more flowering stems. Globe amaranth needs full sun for sturdy growth and good flower color. Plants can tolerate some drought once they are established. To collect your own seed, wait until the flowerheads are beginning to dry, then cut them off and store them in paper bags. Remove the seeds from the flowerheads by crumbling the papery bracts apart over a large sheet of clean paper. Try blowing the light chaff away, leaving just the heavier seeds. Store the seeds in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place until you are ready to germinate them.

Water

Water these plants regularly. Although they tolerate dry spells, globe amaranth will perform best if kept consistently moist

Fertilizer

Gomphrena are light feeders however, occassional organic manure may aid in bushier plants with more flowers.

 Uses of gompherna

In addition to its important role as an attractant for pollinators, globe amaranth belongs in the vegetable garden as an edible flower. As the name suggests , it belongs to the amaranth edible family. Though the stiff blooms aren’t exactly pleasing to the palate, the fresh or dried blossoms produce a vibrant pink hot tea with a mild grassy flavor. The stiff, uniform flowers of globe amaranth make it a popularly featured ingredient in blooming teapots.

Globe amaranth tea is an herbal (caffeine-free) tisane known for containing many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This tea may offer several health benefits including reducing fatigue, improving skin, lowering blood pressure, even preventing gray hairs!