Straw Flower Celosia globosa

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.