Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) in Zone 5a & 5b
Gomphrena globosa
When to plant gomphrena (globe amaranth) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 15–Aug 22 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Gomphrena (globe amaranth) grows a long taproot that gives it above-average drought tolerance once established, and it rewards that patience with one of the longest bloom windows of any flower on this list: April through October in a lot of climates. What look like its "flowers" are papery bracts, not petals, which is why cut stems hung upside down hold their color and shape for months in a dried arrangement instead of shattering the way true petals do.
How gomphrena (globe amaranth) fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) needs about 90 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth).
Where to buy gomphrena seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing gomphrena (globe amaranth)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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