Botanical Name: Gomphrena globosa ‘Ping Pong Purple’

Common Name: Gomphrena, Globe Amaranth

Hardiness Zone: Annual in Most Climates (Perennial in Zones 9–11)

Size: 14–18" Tall × 12–16" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Rounded, Well-Branched

Sunlight: Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor, Sandy, or Lean Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Nitrogen to Prevent Excess Foliage

Features: Vivid Globe-Shaped Purple Blooms, Excellent Heat and Drought Tolerance, Long-Lasting Flowers, No Deadheading Required, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Borders, Containers, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens, and Fresh or Dried Flower Arrangements

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Can Be Grown from Seed

See our complete Gomphrena Growth & Care Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Gomphrena ‘Ping Pong Purple’

‘Ping Pong Purple’ is a Gomphrena that is all about symmetry and punchy color. The flower heads are nearly perfectly spherical, dense and uniform, almost like little purple marbles perched above the foliage. The tone is a true, saturated purple that stays strong even when the sun is relentless. There is no fading to gray or dull magenta by midsummer. Each bloom feels structured and substantial, giving the plant a clean, graphic look in the landscape.

The habit is compact but not cramped. It builds a rounded, evenly branched mound that stays disciplined without feeling stiff. The stems are firm and upright, so the flowers sit clearly above the foliage rather than getting lost inside it. From Late Spring through frost, it produces a steady stream of blooms without the need for trimming or deadheading. It is the kind of plant you can rely on to stay neat and colorful while other annuals demand attention.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials here in the SC Upstate, ‘Ping Pong Purple’ proved itself in the most unforgiving stretch of Summer. We planted it in a bed with lean soil and full afternoon sun, intentionally giving it conditions that would expose weaknesses. It responded by thickening up and blooming harder. The mound stayed uniform, and the flower heads remained evenly spaced across the canopy rather than clustering at the top. That consistency from plant to plant really stood out.

What I appreciate most is its architectural quality. The perfectly round blooms create repetition and rhythm when planted in rows or small drifts. Pollinators move through it steadily, especially native bees during the hottest part of the day. We have also cut large quantities for drying, and the color retention has been excellent. It is not just a tough Summer annual, it is a dependable design tool that brings structure, durability, and long-season color to the garden without ever feeling fussy.

'Ping Pong Purple' vs. Other Gomphrena Varieties

When I line up Ping Pong Purple next to Gnome Purple in our beds, the difference is subtle but important. Gnome Purple hugs the ground a little tighter and reads as a true edging plant. It is compact, cushion-like, and extremely clean in its presentation. Ping Pong Purple, while still tidy, has slightly larger, more perfectly round blooms that feel almost sculpted. The flower heads sit just a touch higher and carry a bit more presence. If Gnome Purple is my dependable front-of-border rhythm plant, Ping Pong Purple is the one I use when I want that same discipline but with a stronger visual statement.

Now when you put Ping Pong Purple beside Strawberry Fields and Truffula Pink, the contrast becomes much more obvious. Strawberry Fields grows taller with looser, slightly elongated red blooms that give off a relaxed, meadow-style energy. Truffula Pink rises even higher with bigger, fluffier pink globes that create lift and movement through the middle of a bed. Ping Pong Purple stays grounded and symmetrical. It is about order and repetition, not airiness. Where Strawberry Fields and Truffula Pink bring motion and height, Ping Pong Purple anchors the planting with steady, saturated purple buttons that hold their shape through the worst of our Summer heat.