Globe Amaranth Pinball™ Series is a cultivar of Gomphrena globosa and produces an annual summer display of small globe-shaped flowers in lavender, purple, or white. The rounded flower is actually a cluster of papery bracts between which the tiny true flowers are borne. New bracts and flowers emerge at the tip as old ones fall away, resulting in long-lasting blooms. Butterflies, bees, and other insects are attracted to these colorful blooms. Each plant grows 10 to 14 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide. The stems are upright with dark green foliage. Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained, fertile soil. It is drought-tolerant once established. It is also a heat-tolerant and low-maintenance plant. It can also be grown as a perennial in winter-hardy zones 9 through 11. Best planted in the spring after the last frost. Seeds can also be started 6 to 8 weeks indoors before the last spring frost. Deadheading is not needed, and deer are fond of this plant. A great selection for borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, pollinator gardens, or containers. The flowers may be used in floral arrangements either fresh or dried. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : Generally, it has no serious insect or disease problems. More information on Gomphrena globosa .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja Lo & Behold® 'Blue Chip Jr.'Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Pink Micro Chip'Echinacea purpurea PowWow® Wild Berry 'PAS702917'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Perennial
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial
USDA zones
9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 2 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Velvety
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are dark green, elliptical to oblong, opposite, with hairy, entire margins.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season; Long-lasting
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Dome
Flower detail
Rounded heads are a cluster of papery bracts between which the tiny true flowers are borne. New bracts and flowers are developed at the tip as old ones fall away. Comes in lavender, purple, or white flowers and blooms for the season.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stems are green, hairy, stiff, and upright.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies, bees, and other insects.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Colorful; Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Edibility
Flowers used for teas. Young leaves are edible.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Patio; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden