Gomphrena tea with a bouquet of Atomic Purple Gomphrena on a wood plate on a white background.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena tea with a loose blooms resting on a wooden mat.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena tea with a bouquet of blooms rests on a wooden background.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena bouquet with a sky blue background.
Gomphrena tea with a bouquet of Atomic Purple Gomphrena on a wood plate on a white background.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena tea with a loose blooms resting on a wooden mat.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena tea with a bouquet of blooms rests on a wooden background.
Atomic Purple Gomphrena bouquet with a sky blue background.

Gomphrena Seeds,
Atomic Purple

4.712 ReviewsSKU: #FL406Min. seed count: 50
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Description

Rugged plants produce profusions of tiny purple blooms. This heat- and drought-tolerant annual is excellent in borders, landscapes, containers, and in the cutting garden. This everlasting bloom is tidy and uniform, perfect for dried arrangements. The flowers make a lovely purple-pink tea that is especially popular in Asia.

Growing Tips: Sow seeds 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep, indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after. Presoak seeds for 24-48 hours. Prefers well-draining soil.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Gomphrena globosa
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
5–14
Days to Maturity
85
Planting Depth
⅛–¼ in.
Plant Spacing
10 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–78°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

If you would rather skip transplants altogether, Atomic Purple direct sows well outdoors once your last frost date has passed. For earlier bloom, start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before that date and plant out after all chance of frost is gone, as this annual carries no frost hardiness. Germination takes 5 to 14 days at an ideal germination temperature of 70 to 75°F, and established plants prefer 70 to 78°F. Figure 85 days from sowing to the first of the tiny purple blooms, which keep coming straight through the heat.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.
  • Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed, or direct seed outdoors after last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 70-75 F.

How to Grow

  • Plants prefer full sun.
  • Plants are considered quite heat and drought tolerant.
  • Plants prefer well-drained soil.
  • Space plants 6-8 inches apart.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A generally pest-free plant.
  • Plants will suffer from oedema if overwatered consistently.

How to Save Seeds

  • Pollinated by bees, butterflies and other insects.
  • Allow the flowerhead containing the seeds to mature completely and dry on the plant, then clip it off and place it in a container.
  • Working over the top of another clean, opened container, rub the flowerheads between the palms, breaking them apart.
  • The seeds can be separated from the chaff by first screening and then winnowing.
  • Store in a cool, dry, dark place over winter.

FAQ

Does Atomic Purple dry well for arrangements?

Yes. The everlasting bloom is tidy and uniform and is perfect for dried arrangements. Cut the stems for drying while the heads are in full color; heads left to mature and dry on the plant are the ones you want for saving seed, not for the vase.

How should I sow and space Atomic Purple seed?

Presoak the seeds 24 to 48 hours, sow them 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep in well-draining soil, and space plants 10 inches apart where they get 8 to 12 hours of sun.

Does Atomic Purple attract pollinators?

Gomphrena is visited by bees, moths, and butterflies including monarchs and skippers, and it is deer resistant. Atomic Purple is also excellent in borders, landscapes, containers, and in the cutting garden.

Customer reviews

4.7 / 5 12 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Long-lasting blooms: Blooms from early summer to frost and dries with its color.

  • Loves heat: Thrives in heat and drought when other flowers fade.

  • Pollinator magnet: Butterflies, moths and other pollinators come to the blooms.

  • Dries and brews: Harvested for dried arrangements and herbal teas.

  • Growing tips: Slow to start and fill in; once going it does not stop.

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