Yes, globe amaranth in pots grows great with the right care. The plant thrives in pots when you give it sun, good soil, and a pot with drain holes. Pot growing also works well for small yards, patios, and balconies where space is tight.
For container gardening, globe amaranth is one of the easiest flowers to start with. I have grown Buddy and Gnome types in 10-inch patio pots for many summers in a row. The plants pump out blooms from June through frost with just basic care from me each week.
Pick a pot at least 8 inches (20 cm) deep with drain holes at the base. The roots need room to spread and water needs a way out. Pots without drain holes will rot your plants fast. Drill holes in the base if your pot has none.
For potted gomphrena, the right container size depends on the variety you pick. Use a 6-inch pot for one Buddy plant. Use a 10-inch pot for three Gnome plants. Use a 14-inch pot for one Fireworks plant. The taller types need more root room.
Pick a sunny spot for your pots. Plants need six hours of direct sun each day for best blooms. South or west sides of your house work well in most yards. Skip shady spots since the plants will stretch and bloom less in low light.
Use a good potting mix with perlite or coarse sand mixed in. A blend of two parts mix to one part perlite drains well and feeds the roots. Skip garden soil in pots since it packs down and holds too much water. A bag of standard potting mix from any garden store works fine.
Add a slow-release fertilizer to the mix at planting time. A balanced 10-10-10 product gives the plants a steady feed for weeks. Skip the high nitrogen feeds since they push leafy growth at the cost of blooms in your pot.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In hot weather, this may mean daily watering for small pots. Big pots may go three days between drinks. Stick a finger in the soil to check before you water each time.
In my experience, pots dry out twice as fast as garden beds do. Plan to check yours each morning in July and August. A drip tray under the pot helps hold moisture, but empty it after big rains so roots do not sit in water.
Feed your patio plants every four weeks with a liquid fertilizer at half strength. Use a balanced product made for blooms. Skip feeds when the plant is stressed by heat or drought. Pour the mix on damp soil for the best uptake.
Deadhead spent blooms to keep new ones coming. Pinch off old flower heads with your fingers or a small snip. Plants pushed to make seed slow down on new buds. A weekly five-minute trim keeps blooms going strong until first frost.
Pair globe amaranth with other heat-loving annuals in mixed pots. Try lantana, vinca, or sweet alyssum as filler plants around the edges. These all share the same care needs and bloom at the same times. Your patio will look full of color all summer long.
Watch for spider mites in hot, dry weather on pot plants. The tiny pests show up under leaves and cause yellow speckles. Spray the underside of leaves with water once a week to keep them at bay. A mild soap spray works for bad bug problems.
At the end of the season, you can save the plants for next year. Pot up the best ones and bring them indoors before frost. Place near a sunny window with daytime temps near 65°F (18°C). Water lightly through winter so the roots stay alive but not soggy.
Or just let your pots die back at frost and start fresh next spring. Save the dried flower heads for seeds. Pull the dead plants and dump the old soil in the compost bin. Wash your pots with mild soap before you reuse them for new plants.
Read the full article: Globe Amaranth: Grow, Dry, and Design
