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Straw Flower Celosia globosa

Phonetic Spelling
se-LO-see-uh gloh-BOH-suh
Description

Globe Amaranth is an annual or tender herbaceous perennial in the Amaranthaceae (buckwheat) family, native to central and west-central Africa. It has an erect, sometime straggly, form with branches that can reach 30 inches long. The flowers are a brownish-yellow. The genus name comes from the Greek word kḗleos meaning burning and refers to the flame-like flowers.

Globe Amaranth tolerates most soils except heavy clay and does not like wet feet. It is best grown in full sun and well-drained soils. These plants are showy and long blooming and add a splash of color when planted en masse or as an accent in the garden and also do well in pots. They often will readily reseed so deadhead if this is not desirable. This plant tolerates dry porous soils and thrives in heat and humidity.  Plant it in border fronts, edging, or cut flower gardens. Celosia species do reseed, they should be sited in a location where their reappearance every year is not unwanted. To prevent reseeding, you can cut off the blooms before seeds appear.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Resistant to most diseases and pests but mites, leaf spots, and stem rot can occur. The biggest problem stems from too wet soils and cold weather. 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Arrabona Red'
    Red-orange flowers
  • ‘Sparkler Orange’
    Orange flowers
'Arrabona Red', ‘Sparkler Orange’
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#long bloom time#cutting garden#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wet soils intolerant#edible#full sun
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Arrabona Red'
    Red-orange flowers
  • ‘Sparkler Orange’
    Orange flowers
'Arrabona Red', ‘Sparkler Orange’
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#long bloom time#cutting garden#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wet soils intolerant#edible#full sun
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Celosia
    Species:
    globosa
    Family:
    Amaranthaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    It is used as animal food, a poison and a medicine, has environmental uses and social uses and for food.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Nigeria to Uganda
    Distribution:
    Central west Africa
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Edibility:
    Young leaves can be eaten and have a spinach-like flavor. Young stems and flowers can be used in stews.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Description:
    Terminal, spicate cymes, heavily bracteated, fasciated. Blooms from late spring to first frost.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, alternate, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate-ovate leaves, light green in color but darker on flowering shoots.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Multi-branched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Humidity