Heirloom

QIS™ Purple

Gomphrena globosa

Photo: Donald A Hunter, John D Fletcher, Kevin M Davies, and Huaibi Zhang · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 2.5)

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.

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™ Purple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

QIS™ Purple · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, tolerates average soil

WaterModerate; drought tolerant once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorPurple

Size1 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Gomphrena runs 85 to 100 days from transplant, but once it starts flowering it keeps going until frost — provided you keep cutting it. A single planting handles most situations. If you want staggered peaks for cut-flower production, start one indoor tray in February and a second in March, then transplant them 4-6 weeks apart in spring; you'll get overlapping flushes from midsummer through October. Skip a late-June direct sow in zone 7 or warmer — there's not enough season left to hit 85 days before frost risk returns in the fall.

Complete Growing Guide

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™ Purple 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

For fresh globe amaranth blooms, store upright in a vase with water at room temperature (65-72°F) in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Keep humidity moderate and change water every 2-3 days; blooms will last 10-14 days. For preservation, air-dry by hanging bundles upside-down in a warm, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to retain color and form—ideal for dried arrangements. Alternatively, press flowers between paper under weights for 1-2 weeks to create flat specimens for crafts or herbals. Silica gel drying (5-7 days) offers faster results while maintaining vibrant purple coloration.

History & Origin

Origin: Mexico to Brazil

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
+Low maintenance

Companion Plants

Sweet alyssum and marigolds are the most practical neighbors here. Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on aphids — and since gomphrena does attract aphid pressure, that's a functional pairing, not just a pretty one. Marigolds (particularly Tagetes patula) deter whiteflies and root-knot nematodes through root secretions. Keep fennel well away — it's broadly allelopathic and suppresses a wide range of annuals planted within a foot or two of it. Black walnut trees produce juglone, a compound that moves through the soil and is toxic to many plants, so don't site gomphrena anywhere near one.

Plant Together

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects and provides ground cover while complementing purple flowers

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids while providing contrasting color to purple blooms

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and adds vibrant color contrast to purple flowers

Petunias

Repels aphids, tomato hornworms, and other pests while creating colorful mixed plantings

Lavender

Attracts pollinators and repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes with complementary purple tones

Zinnia

Attracts beneficial insects and butterflies while providing excellent cut flower combinations

Parsley

Attracts beneficial wasps and hoverflies that control aphids and other pests

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides airy texture contrast to dense flower heads

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

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

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby flowering plants

Fennel

Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit germination and growth of most flowering companions

Troubleshooting QIS™ Purple

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

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems look pinched or water-soaked near the base

Likely Causes

Damping off — usually Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi thriving in cold, wet, poorly-drained starting mix
Overwatering before seedlings have established any root system

What to Do

1.Ditch the affected tray — there's no saving collapsed seedlings once damping off takes hold
2.Start fresh with sterile seed-starting mix, not garden soil or old potting mix
3.Bottom-water only, and let the surface dry out between waterings; keep germination temps above 70°F

Leaves develop small, irregular tan or gray spots with dark borders, spreading across the canopy in humid weather

Likely Causes

Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora gomphrenae) — a fungal disease that spreads through overhead watering and rain splash
Overcrowded spacing that traps humidity between plants

What to Do

1.Strip and trash the worst-affected leaves; don't compost them
2.Water at the base, not overhead, and do it in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall
3.Give plants the full 18-24 inches of spacing — it makes a real difference in humid summers

Tiny, slow-moving clusters of soft-bodied insects on new growth; stems may look sticky or have a shiny film

Likely Causes

Aphids (often Myzus persicae or related species) — they congregate on tender new growth and secrete honeydew
Ants farming the aphid colonies and discouraging natural predators like ladybugs

What to Do

1.Knock them off with a firm spray of water from a hose — repeat every 2-3 days until the population crashes
2.If that's not working, apply insecticidal soap directly to the colonies, coating the undersides of leaves
3.Check for ant trails at the base; if ants are working the stems, address them too or the aphids will keep coming back

Plant looks healthy but produces almost no blooms, or flower output drops sharply after the first flush

Likely Causes

Not deadheading — gomphrena slows production when old heads are left to go to seed
Too much nitrogen from heavy fertilizing, which pushes leafy growth at the expense of flowers
Insufficient sun — less than 4 hours of direct light noticeably cuts bloom output

What to Do

1.Deadhead or harvest blooms on a regular cycle; cutting every 7-10 days keeps the plant pushing new buds
2.Back off the fertilizer — a light side-dress of balanced 10-10-10 at planting is usually enough for the full season
3.Move containers to a sunnier spot, or note the bed location for next year and choose a site with 6+ hours of direct light

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do QIS Purple globe amaranth flowers last in a vase?▼

QIS Purple blooms typically last 10-14 days in a vase when stored in cool conditions with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. Their long stems and sturdy structure make them excellent for cut-flower arrangements. Keep them away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit, which produce ethylene gas that shortens vase life. Removing lower foliage before arranging helps extend longevity.

Is QIS Purple globe amaranth good for beginners?▼

Yes, QIS Purple is excellent for beginners. It's an easy-to-grow heirloom variety that thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates various conditions. The plant is reliable, produces uniform stems ideal for cutting, and requires minimal maintenance. Its vigorous growth and long harvest window (85-100 days) make it forgiving for novice growers.

Can you grow globe amaranth in containers?▼

Yes, QIS Purple grows well in containers. Use a 5-6 gallon pot with well-drained potting soil. Container plants may be slightly more compact than in-ground, but will still produce quality cut stems. Ensure adequate sunlight (4-6+ hours) and consistent watering. Container growing also offers flexibility for moving plants to ideal light conditions or protecting them from harsh weather.

When should I plant QIS Purple globe amaranth seeds?▼

Plant QIS Purple after the last spring frost when soil has warmed. You can start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost for earlier blooms, or direct sow outdoors once frost danger passes. These warm-season annuals prefer soil temperatures above 60°F. With an 85-100 day harvest period, spring planting ensures abundant blooms through fall.

What's the difference between globe amaranth and celosia as cut flowers?▼

Both are excellent dried flowers, but globe amaranth (like QIS Purple) produces tight, spherical, papery blooms on long stems, while celosia has feathery or velvety plume-like flowers. Globe amaranth retains color exceptionally well when dried and lasts longer in arrangements. QIS Purple specifically offers superior stem quality, length, and uniformity, making it preferred for professional cut-flower production.

How far apart should I space QIS Purple globe amaranth plants?▼

Space plants 18-24 inches apart to allow adequate air circulation and room for branching. Proper spacing promotes healthier, more vigorous growth and reduces disease pressure. Closer spacing may result in taller, thinner stems with fewer branches, while adequate spacing encourages bushier plants with multiple quality cut stems per plant.