Gomphrena 'Strawberry Fields' Seeds

While most flowers have delicate, soft petals, Gomphrena produces vivid, papery spheres that feel almost artificial to the touch. 'Strawberry Fields' is the most famous variety for a reason: the blooms are a brilliant, lipstick-red with tiny yellow stars (the true flowers) poking out from the bracts.

These plants are architectural marvels. They send up long, stiff, wiry stems that hold the red bobbles high above the foliage, making them look like strawberries suspended in mid-air. They add a fun, modern texture to soft cottage planting schemes.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Strawberry Fields'

We love this plant for its "forever" quality. It is an Everlasting Flower. You can cut the stems in late summer, hang them upside down to dry, and they will hold that vibrant red colour for years in a dried arrangement. It allows you to keep a piece of your summer garden right through the winter.

It is also a heat-seeker. If we have a scorching summer where other plants wilt, Gomphrena thrives. Originating from Texas and Mexico, it laughs at heat and drought once established.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Half-Hardy Annual?

Gomphrena is a Half-Hardy Annual.

This means it completes its life cycle in one year but cannot handle frost.
Spring: It needs warmth to get started, so you must sow it indoors or in a greenhouse.
Summer: Plant out only when the soil has warmed up (usually June). It blooms tirelessly until the first frost of autumn.
Top Tip: Be patient! Gomphrena can be slow to take off in a cool spring, but once the July heat hits, it rockets up.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Gomphrena seeds have a cottony coating and appreciate a little preparation.

🌱 Germination:
Sow indoors from March to April. To speed things up, you can soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Sow into moist compost and cover lightly with soil or vermiculite (they prefer darkness to germinate). Keep warm (20-24°C). Germination takes 14-21 days.

Where to Sow:
This is a sun worshipper. Pick your sunniest, hottest spot. They need full sun and well-drained soil. They hate cold, wet clay, so if you have heavy soil, grow them in containers or raised beds.

Care While Growing:
Pinch out the growing tips when the plants are about 15cm tall to encourage them to branch out and produce more flowers. Water regularly until established, but do not overwater.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The unique texture of Gomphrena needs the right partners. Here are my top pairings from the shop:

• ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': Create a "Strawberries and Cream" theme. The ferny foliage and pure white flowers of the Cosmos provide a soft, fluffy background that makes the hard red spheres of the Gomphrena pop.
• 🎨 Zinnia 'Lilliput Mix': Zinnias and Gomphrena are best friends. They both originate from hot climates and thrive in the exact same sunny conditions. The pompoms of the Zinnia mirror the shape of the Gomphrena perfectly.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow indoors in spring. Plant out after all risk of frost has passed.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)