Heirloom

Audray Mix

Gomphrena globosa

Photo: Sabina Bajracharya · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Harvest

95-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Audray Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Audray Mix · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates average to poor soil

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorWhite, rose, pink, and purple red

Size1 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

The Audray series offers highly uniform plants with tall stems for cut flowers. Compared to the QIS series, Audray is taller and more uniform but a bit later to flower, and with a limited color range. Mixture includes: Audray White, Bicolor Rose, Pink, and Purple Red. 1 1/2" blooms. Also known as globe amaranth and common globe amaranth. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Audray Mix is 95 - 110 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Grows Well in Containers, Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Audray Mix reaches harvest at 95 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh globe amaranth blooms are best stored at room temperature (65-70°F) in a vase with fresh water, as refrigeration can shorten vase life. Keep away from direct sunlight and ethylene-producing fruits. Shelf life is typically 2-3 weeks in water. For preservation, try air-drying by hanging stems upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks—dried blooms retain color and shape beautifully for long-lasting arrangements. Alternatively, press flowers between parchment paper under weight for 1-2 weeks for floral crafts, or glycerin-preserve by standing stems in a 1:1 glycerin-water solution for 1-2 weeks for softer, preserved blooms.

History & Origin

Audray Mix is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico to Brazil

Advantages

+Highly uniform plants ideal for professional cut flower production
+Tall stems maximize vase arrangements and commercial appeal
+Beautiful color variety with white, pink, bicolor, and purple options
+Easy to grow with minimal care requirements for beginners
+Long vase life makes blooms excellent for floral arrangements

Considerations

-Later flowering than QIS series delays harvest by 2-3 weeks
-Limited color range compared to other globe amaranth varieties
-Requires 95-110 days to maturity, extending production timeline significantly

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and sweet alyssum are the most practical neighbors — marigolds push out aphids and whiteflies through foliar and root compounds, and sweet alyssum draws parasitic wasps that put a dent in pest pressure before it starts. Zinnias and cosmos fit naturally in the same row, sharing similar sun and water needs without crowding root zones at 12-18 inch spacing. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is the one to exclude from the vicinity — its roots release juglone, a compound toxic enough to stunt or kill most annuals, and gomphrena is no exception. Fennel suppresses neighboring annuals through allelopathic root exudates and earns its own bed well away from the flower patch.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while repelling squash bugs

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial pollinators, shares similar growing conditions

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support in mixed flower beds

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting bees and beneficial pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs while providing continuous blooms

Cleome

Attracts beneficial insects and provides height variation in flower arrangements

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowering plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby flowering plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy and attracts harmful insects

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, whiteflies, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Audray Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Fine webbing on stems and undersides of leaves, with stippled, dull-looking foliage — usually in hot, dry spells

Likely Causes

Spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) infestation — thrives when temps push above 90°F and humidity drops

What to Do

1.Blast the plant down with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mites off
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to the undersides of leaves in the early morning, not midday
3.If the plant is badly infested, remove and bag the worst stems before treating the rest

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, starting on older leaves, usually in late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum or related species) — common when nights cool down but days stay warm, especially with poor airflow
Overcrowded planting at less than 12 inches apart

What to Do

1.Thin or space plants to at least 12-18 inches so air can move between them
2.Spray with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) or potassium bicarbonate fungicide at first sign
3.Avoid overhead watering in the evening — water at the base in the morning

Yellowing, wilting stems at the base with mushy or discolored roots, even when the soil isn't obviously dry

Likely Causes

Root rot — usually Pythium or Rhizoctonia species in poorly drained or consistently waterlogged soil
Planting in a low spot that holds water after rain

What to Do

1.Dig the affected plant and check the roots — brown and soft rather than white and firm means root rot, not drought stress
2.Amend the bed with coarse perlite before replanting, or move the whole operation to a raised bed with at least 6 inches of drainage depth
3.Don't put gomphrena back in that same low spot; it's one of the more reliably drought-tolerant annuals you can grow, and it still won't survive wet feet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Audray Mix globe amaranth flowers last in a vase?▼

Audray Mix blooms typically last 2-3 weeks in fresh water when kept at room temperature. To extend vase life, change water every 2-3 days, trim stems at an angle, and remove any lower foliage. These flowers are excellent for cutting because they maintain their vibrant colors and globe shape throughout their vase life, making them reliable for fresh arrangements.

Is Audray Mix a good choice for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Audray Mix is ideal for beginners. It's rated as an easy-to-grow variety that thrives in full sun to partial shade with minimal care. The plants are highly uniform and reliable, requiring just basic watering and deadheading to encourage continuous blooms. Its hardiness and forgiving nature make it perfect for gardeners new to flower growing.

Can you grow Audray Mix globe amaranth in containers?▼

Yes, Audray Mix grows well in containers. Use well-draining potting soil and a pot at least 6-8 inches deep. Place in full sun for best results, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Container growing works particularly well for cut flower production, as the tall stems (compared to the QIS series) are easily accessible for harvesting.

When should I plant Audray Mix seeds?▼

Sow Audray Mix seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow in the garden after all frost danger has passed. Seeds need warmth to germinate. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they're 2-3 inches tall and soil has warmed. This timing ensures blooms for 95-110 days of growing season.

How does Audray Mix compare to the QIS series?▼

Audray Mix offers taller, more uniform plants with better stem quality for cut flowers than QIS. However, it flowers slightly later (95-110 days vs. faster varieties) and has a more limited color range, including only white, bicolor rose, pink, and purple red blooms. Choose Audray for premium cutting; choose QIS if you want faster color.