Gomphrena haageana QIS® Red | Rio Grande Globe Amaranth

Gomphrena haageana QIS® Red is a professional cut-flower variety producing vivid red, globe-shaped blooms on long, strong stems. Part of the QIS® (Quality in Seed) series, it is valued for its uniform growth, excellent stem quality and versatility as both a fresh and dried cut flower.

The rich red colour gives QIS® Red a bold yet natural appearance. It is especially beautiful in summer and autumn bouquets, where it combines wonderfully with burgundy, apricot, peach, orange, cream, bronze and ornamental grasses.

Plant Information

• Botanical Name: Gomphrena haageana
• Common Name: Rio Grande Globe Amaranth
• Series: QIS®
• Variety: Red
• Family: Amaranthaceae
• Flower Colour: Rich red
• Life Cycle: Tender annual
• Plant Habit: Upright
• Plant Height: approx. 61–66 cm
• Flower Size: approx. 3.8 cm
• Exposure: Full sun
• Use: Fresh cut flowers, dried flowers, garden planting
• Plug Crop Time: 5–6 weeks
• Transplant to Finish: approx. 10–12 weeks
• Seed Type: Raw seed
• Support: Generally not required

Rich Red Flowers for Cutting

QIS® Red produces distinctive rounded flower heads in a rich, vivid red colour, carried on long upright stems.

The small globe-shaped flowers bring both strong colour and interesting texture to arrangements without competing with larger focal flowers. This makes them particularly useful as a supporting or textural flower in professional bouquet work.

The warm red colour is especially effective for late-summer and autumn floristry, pairing beautifully with dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, amaranthus and ornamental grasses.

QIS® – Quality in Seed

The QIS® series is particularly suitable for professional cut-flower production and is valued for stem quality, length and uniformity.

QIS® Red offers:

Rich red colour • Long, strong stems • Uniform growth • Professional cut-flower quality • Excellent fresh or dried • Heat-loving plants • Suitable for greenhouse and outdoor production

Its combination of strong stems and distinctive spherical flowers makes it an excellent crop for flower farmers looking for something that can be used throughout the summer and into autumn.

How to Sow Gomphrena Seeds

Start seeds indoors or in a greenhouse approximately 5–6 weeks before planting out.

Sow 1 seed per cell into a fine, moist and well-drained seed-starting substrate.

After sowing, cover the seeds lightly with substrate.

Maintain a germination temperature of approximately 20–22°C and keep the growing medium evenly moist, but never waterlogged.

Provide plenty of light after germination to encourage compact, strong seedlings.

Growing the Seedlings

Once germinated, seedlings need good light, air circulation and carefully controlled moisture.

Keep the substrate evenly moist but avoid keeping it constantly wet.

As the seedlings develop, temperatures can gradually be reduced. The total plug production period is approximately 5–6 weeks.

Planting Out

Gomphrena loves heat and full sun and does not tolerate frost.

Plant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and both the soil and weather have warmed.

Choose a sunny position with loose, well-drained soil. Avoid excessive fertilisation, as overly rich conditions can encourage soft vegetative growth rather than strong flowering stems.

For intensive production, plants can be spaced approximately 13–15 cm apart.

Growing QIS® Red for Cut Flowers

QIS® Red performs best during warm, sunny summer conditions.

Water regularly while plants become established. Once established, Gomphrena is relatively tolerant of dry conditions, although consistent moisture helps produce the best-quality stems.

From transplanting, allow approximately 10–12 weeks to finish, depending on temperature, light and other growing conditions.

For a longer harvesting season, a second sowing or planting can be made several weeks after the first crop.

Harvesting

Harvest when the flowers have developed their rich red colour and the heads are fully rounded but before they begin to elongate.

Cut long stems using clean, sharp tools and place them immediately into clean water.

The distinctive spherical flowers are particularly useful as a textural element in professional bouquets, while the long stems make them easy to work with in floral arrangements.

Excellent for Drying

Gomphrena is one of the most useful flowers for drying because its firm, papery flower heads retain their shape and colour exceptionally well.

For dried flowers, harvest good-quality stems and hang them upside down in small bunches in a dry, warm and well-ventilated place away from strong direct sunlight.

The deep red colour of QIS® Red makes it particularly attractive for dried bouquets, wreaths and autumn arrangements.

Why Grow QIS® Red?

Rich red flowers • Professional QIS® series • Long, uniform stems • Excellent fresh cut flower • Outstanding dried flower • Heat-loving • Suitable for greenhouse and field production • Beautiful for summer and autumn bouquets

Gomphrena haageana QIS® Red is an excellent choice for flower farmers and gardeners looking for a reliable red cut flower with strong stems and distinctive globe-shaped blooms that can be enjoyed both fresh and dried.