Heirloom

Strawberry Fields

Gomphrena haageana

Photo: Yoko Nekonomania · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 2.0)

Brilliant flowers, 1 1/2" across, atop strong stems. Plants are very productive, and an excellent complement to the QIS™ series. Holds color exceptionally well when dried. Also known as globe amaranth and Rio Grande globe amaranth.

Harvest

85-100d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

18-30 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 Strawberry Fields in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Strawberry Fields · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained loam; tolerates average fertility, dislikes wet or clay-heavy soil

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

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBrilliant red-pink

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

Strawberry Fields blooms from a single sowing for most of the warm season — 85-100 days to first cut, then it keeps flowering until frost. One planting per season is usually enough for a cutting garden. That said, if you want a steady supply of tight, just-opened globes for fresh arrangements (they're past their prime for florist use once fully open), sow a second batch indoors 4-5 weeks after the first, targeting a transplant date 3-4 weeks later. In zone 7, that means a February indoor sow followed by a mid-March sow, with both rounds going out after last frost in late April.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Cabarrus County Poolside Garden. Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: gom-FREE-nah glo-BOH-sa. Spread: gom-FREE-nah glo-BOH-sa. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Strawberry Fields 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 Strawberry Fields stems last 10-14 days in a clean vase with fresh water, changed every 2-3 days. Store cut flowers in a cool location (60-65°F) away from ripening fruit, which produces ethylene gas that shortens vase life.

For drying, hang-dry bunches in warm (65-75°F), dark, low-humidity conditions for 2-3 weeks until stems snap cleanly. Store dried flowers in cardboard boxes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity; they remain vibrant and usable for 12-18 months. Alternatively, press individual flower heads between acid-free paper for flat arrangements, or store in silica gel if you prefer to preserve specific colors. Dried heads can also be pressed into sachets for long-term storage and decorative use.

History & Origin

Mexico to Brazil

Advantages

+Easy to grow — beginner-friendly
+Wide hardiness — grows in USDA zones 1-11

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes patula) and sweet alyssum pull the most weight here — marigolds push back on whiteflies through foliar and root chemical emissions, while alyssum draws in hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids before you ever notice a colony forming. Chives and garlic add sulfur compounds to the mix, which confuse soft-bodied insects on neighboring plants. Skip fennel entirely: it produces anethole and related allelopathic compounds that measurably stunt nearby annuals. Black walnut is a harder constraint — the roots emit juglone, and Gomphrena has no particular tolerance for it, so don't plant within the drip line.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, improve soil health

Borage

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, may enhance strawberry flavor

Chives

Repel aphids, spider mites, and slugs with their strong scent

Thyme

Deters worms and other pests, provides ground cover to retain moisture

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent diseases, repels many pests

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides living mulch

Spinach

Provides shade for strawberry roots and doesn't compete for nutrients

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits strawberry growth and can kill plants

Brassicas

Compete for similar nutrients and may stunt strawberry growth

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of strawberries

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies (primarily in warm climates or greenhouse conditions)

Diseases

Root rot (in waterlogged soil), powdery mildew (in humid conditions with poor air circulation)

Troubleshooting Strawberry Fields

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

Seedlings damping off at soil level within 7-14 days of germination — stems pinch and collapse

Likely Causes

Pythium or Rhizoctonia root rot from overwatering or poorly drained germination mix
Sowing too deep (Gomphrena seed needs light to germinate well — don't bury it more than 1/8 inch)

What to Do

1.Let the top inch of germination mix dry out between waterings
2.Add perlite to your starting mix at roughly a 1:4 ratio to improve drainage
3.Start over in fresh mix — damped-off trays rarely recover

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing after 60+ days in crowded plantings

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives when plants are packed tight and airflow is poor
High humidity with dry leaf surfaces, common in late summer

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart — 15-18 inches if your summers are humid
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted neem oil solution (2 tsp neem, 1 tsp dish soap per quart of water) early in the morning
3.Remove heavily coated leaves and bin them, don't compost

Leaves stippled with tiny pale dots, undersides dusty or webbed — plants look dull and stressed in hot, dry stretches

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — population explodes when temperatures stay above 85°F and humidity drops
Drought stress making plants more susceptible

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days to knock mite populations down
2.Apply insecticidal soap (follow label rates) in the evening to avoid phytotoxicity in the heat
3.Keep soil consistently moist during hot spells — stressed plants attract mites faster

Soft, sticky clusters of small insects on new growth tips; leaves may curl or distort

Likely Causes

Aphids (commonly Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — they target tender new growth first
Ants farming aphids on the plant, which protects them from predators

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a firm water spray — do this 3 days in a row and populations usually crash
2.If ants are present, band the stems with sticky tape to interrupt their access and let ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens) do the rest
3.As a last resort, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap directly to the colonies

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Strawberry Fields globe amaranth take to grow from seed to flower?▼

Strawberry Fields reaches flowering maturity in 85-100 days from direct sowing, or 10-12 weeks from indoor seed starting (accounting for germination and transplant recovery time). Plants will produce their first blooms mid-to-late summer, with peak flower production continuing until frost. Earlier sowing (indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date) maximizes your harvest window.

Is Strawberry Fields good for beginners and first-time growers?▼

Yes. Strawberry Fields is remarkably forgiving for new gardeners. It germinates reliably, grows quickly, needs minimal fertilization, and tolerates some neglect once established. The main requirements—full sun, well-drained soil, and warm temperatures—are straightforward. Deadheading extends flowering but isn't essential. Even gardeners with limited experience achieve abundant blooms.

Can you grow Strawberry Fields globe amaranth in containers?▼

Absolutely. Use a 10-12 inch pot with quality potting mix and ensure drainage holes are present. Container plants benefit from consistent watering (soil dries faster in pots) and monthly balanced fertilization. Place in full sun and provide staking only if plants become top-heavy. Container growth works especially well in cool climates where warming the soil early in the season is challenging.

When should I plant Strawberry Fields seeds outdoors?▼

Direct sow or transplant outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches 65°F. For most zones, this means late May through June. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks earlier gives you a head start on flowering, but avoid transplanting until soil is warm—cold soil stunts growth and may cause seed rot.

What's the best way to dry Strawberry Fields for long-term storage?▼

Cut full-sized stems when bracts feel papery but before significant color loss. Bundle 8-10 stems together and hang upside-down in a warm (65-75°F), dark, well-ventilated location away from humidity. Drying takes 2-3 weeks. Store finished dried flowers in cardboard boxes in cool, dry conditions; they'll retain vibrant color and form for 12-18 months.

Does Strawberry Fields globe amaranth self-seed, and is it invasive?▼

Yes, it self-seeds readily in warm zones (9-11) and moderately in zones 7-8, depending on season length. This can be desirable (free seed for next year) or problematic (volunteer seedlings throughout the garden). In cool climates (zones 5-6), self-seeding is minimal. Deadhead spent flowers if you prefer to control reseeding, or embrace it for a naturalized look.