Heirloom

QIS™ Pink

Gomphrena globosa

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

Harvest

85-100d

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 QIS™ Pink in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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QIS™ Pink · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, moderately fertile soil; tolerates lean conditions

WaterModerate; consistent moisture during growth, drought-tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorFrosty pink

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	—

Succession Planting

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost — late February to early March in zone 7 — and transplant out in April once nights reliably stay above 50°F. A second direct sow in May gives you a later flush of blooms that carries into fall. Gomphrena handles heat without bolting, so you don't need to race the calendar on the back end; just stop sowing by mid-June so plants have enough runway to clear the 85-100 day mark before first frost.

Complete Growing Guide

Frosty pink, 1 1/2" blooms on long stems. We have found the QIS™ (Quality in Seed) Series to be a good choice for cut-flower production for its stem quality, length, and uniformity. Also known as globe amaranth and common globe amaranth. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, QIS™ Pink is 85 - 100 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

QIS™ Pink reaches harvest at 85 - 100 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-cut QIS™ Pink stems last 2–3 weeks in a vase with clean water and floral preservative, far longer than most cut flowers. Store fresh stems in a cool location (50–65°F) away from ripening fruit, which produces ethylene gas that shortens vase life. For drying, hang bundles upside-down in a warm (65–75°F), well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight; dried flowers retain color and form for 12+ months when stored in a cool, dry location away from humidity. No special preservation is needed for dried arrangements. QIS™ Pink is not suitable for freezing or other wet-preservation methods, as the delicate spherical flowers lose structure when rehydrated. Dried flowers remain vibrant and are ideal for permanent floral design, wreaths, and craft projects.

History & Origin

QIS™ Pink 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

+Excellent stem quality and length ideal for professional cut-flower arrangements
+Frosty pink color adds unique aesthetic appeal to floral designs
+QIS™ series ensures uniform growth and consistent bloom production
+Long stems reduce need for additional height management techniques
+Relatively easy cultivation suitable for both novice and experienced growers

Considerations

-85-100 day maturity requires significant growing season planning ahead
-Sensitive to overwatering which can cause root rot and stem issues
-Requires well-draining soil or performance and bloom quality suffer
-Heat-loving variety struggles in cool climates below 65°F consistently

Companion Plants

Marigolds and zinnias are the most practical neighbors here — both pull in predatory wasps and hoverflies that knock back aphid pressure, and all three share full-sun, moderate-water needs so you're not managing conflicting care in the same bed. Sweet alyssum fills in low gaps and draws Braconid wasps, which parasitize caterpillar larvae. Lavender and sage are fine as long as your drainage is solid, since they want drier conditions than gomphrena does during establishment. Black walnut is a hard no — juglone released from the roots moves through surrounding soil and will stunt gomphrena badly, sometimes within a single season.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel squash bugs

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Zinnias

Attract beneficial insects and butterflies, complement growth habit

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide natural pest control

Sage

Repels cabbage moths, carrot flies, and flea beetles

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowering plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic compounds

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic chemicals that suppress nearby plant growth

Troubleshooting QIS™ Pink

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

Seedlings damping off at soil level — stems pinch thin and collapse within the first 2 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi, both thriving in cold, waterlogged starting mix
Overwatering combined with poor drainage in seed trays

What to Do

1.Water only when the top half-inch of mix is dry; gomphrena seedlings don't need much
2.Use a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix — not garden soil
3.Improve airflow with a small fan on low; 30 minutes a day makes a real difference

Leaves developing powdery white coating, usually in mid-summer when nights cool off and days stay humid

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — worse when plants are crowded and airflow is limited
Spacing tighter than 12 inches, which traps moisture around the foliage

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart at transplant — 15 inches if your summers are muggy
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) weekly until symptoms stop spreading
3.Pull the worst-affected leaves and throw them in the trash — not the compost pile

Plants stunted with distorted, cupped leaves and sticky residue on stems, noticed once temperatures hold above 70°F

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly Myzus persicae or a related species) feeding on new growth
Ant activity around the base — ants farm aphids for honeydew and actively protect them from predators

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong stream of water from a hose; do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
2.Apply insecticidal soap directly to affected stems and leaf undersides, repeating every 5-7 days for 3 applications
3.Trace ant trails back to their entry point and disrupt them separately — if ants are guarding the colony, soap alone won't hold

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does QIS™ Pink take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

QIS™ Pink reaches flowering maturity in 85–100 days from sowing. If you start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost date and transplant after frost, you'll typically begin harvesting 4–5 weeks after transplanting. For fastest results, direct sow after soil warms to 70°F, though transplanting from indoor starts gives you earlier, more uniform harvests.

Is QIS™ Pink good for beginners?▼

Yes—it's an ideal beginner cut-flower crop. QIS™ Pink germinates reliably, grows quickly, requires minimal fertilizing, and produces consistently without staking, pruning, or complex training. The only critical requirement is warmth; plant after frost danger has passed and you'll have excellent success. Even gardeners with limited flower-growing experience achieve professional-quality stems.

Can you grow QIS™ Pink in containers?▼

Yes, though with trade-offs. Container-grown plants produce shorter stems than in-ground plants due to root restriction, but they work well for smaller bouquets or patio arrangements. Use 5–gallon containers filled with quality potting mix, water consistently, and fertilize lightly every 3–4 weeks. Space containers at least 18 inches apart for good air circulation.

How much sun does QIS™ Pink need?▼

QIS™ Pink performs best with 6+ hours of full sun daily, which maximizes stem length and flowering. It tolerates partial shade (4–6 hours of sun) but produces shorter stems in reduced light. In extremely hot climates (90°F+), afternoon shade may actually extend the flowering period, though stems won't be as long as full-sun plants.

What's the difference between drying and keeping QIS™ Pink fresh?▼

Fresh-cut stems last 2–3 weeks in a vase with water and floral preservative, making them ideal for immediate arrangements. Dried QIS™ Pink maintains its color and form for 12+ months when hung upside-down in a warm, airy space, perfect for permanent designs and winter arrangements. Both methods preserve the flowers—choose based on your intended use timeline.

When should I plant QIS™ Pink seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow after soil reaches 70°F and all frost danger has passed. QIS™ Pink is strictly warm-season; planting too early in cold soil will cause seeds to rot. For continuous harvests, succession sow every 2–3 weeks through midsummer.