How to Grow and Care for Golden Globe Plant

The Golden Globe plant, known botanically as Craspedia globosa, offers a touch of whimsy to gardens and floral arrangements. It is also commonly called Billy Buttons or the Drumstick Plant, names that aptly describe its unique floral structure. Native to Australia and New Zealand, this plant has gained popularity for its playful appearance and resilience. Its cheerful, spherical flowers on long, slender stems create a striking visual that stands out among more traditional garden plants.

Golden Globe Plant Characteristics

The most defining feature of the Golden Globe plant is its flower head. Each one is a dense, one-inch sphere composed of tiny, tightly packed, golden-yellow florets. These globe-like blooms sit atop thin yet rigid stems that are leafless, allowing the flower heads to appear as if they are floating above the foliage.

The plant forms a basal rosette of foliage, meaning the leaves emerge in a clump at the base of the plant. These leaves are long, narrow, and have a distinct silvery-green color, often covered in fine, soft hairs that give them a slightly woolly texture. A mature plant reaches a height of 24 to 30 inches, with a foliage spread of about 12 inches. Its primary blooming period occurs throughout the summer months.

How to Grow Golden Globe Plants

The Golden Globe plant requires a location that receives full, direct sunlight. At least six to eight hours of sun per day encourages the development of strong, upright stems and promotes abundant flowering. In locations with less sun, the stems may become weak and require support. A south or west-facing aspect is ideal for providing the necessary light intensity.

It thrives in soil with excellent drainage, as its roots are susceptible to rot in waterlogged conditions. Sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil types are well-suited for its needs. Heavy clay soils that retain excessive moisture should be amended with organic matter or grit to improve their drainage capacity before planting.

While the plant is drought tolerant once established, it does require consistent moisture during its first growing season to develop a strong root system. After this initial period, watering can be reduced, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. During extended dry spells, occasional watering will help maintain its vigor.

This species is best grown as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. In colder climates, it is treated as an annual, as it is not reliably hardy below freezing. The plant is a light feeder, and applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in the spring is sufficient to support its growth.

Garden and Floral Uses

In garden design, the Golden Globe plant provides unique texture and strong vertical lines. Its slender stems and spherical blooms add a playful yet modern element to garden beds, borders, and rockeries. The plant works well in mass plantings, where its numerous golden orbs create a stunning visual effect. It is also an excellent choice for xeriscaping and coastal gardens.

The flowers are highly valued in floristry for their long vase life in fresh arrangements, often lasting for two weeks or more. Their sturdy stems and distinct shape provide an interesting contrast to softer, more traditional flowers.

Its most celebrated use is as a dried flower. When harvested at their peak and hung upside down in a dry, dark place, the flower heads retain their perfect spherical shape and vibrant yellow color for years. This makes them a popular component in everlasting bouquets, wreaths, and other dried floral crafts.

Propagation Methods

The Golden Globe plant can be propagated through two primary methods: from seed or by division. For gardeners in colder climates, it is best to start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date. The seeds should be sown on the surface of a seed-starting mix and lightly covered with soil, as they require light for germination. Germination occurs within 14 to 18 days at temperatures between 70-75°F. Alternatively, seeds can be sown directly into the garden once the danger of frost has passed.

The second method of propagation is division, which is suitable for established, mature plants. In the spring, existing clumps can be carefully lifted and separated into smaller sections, ensuring each new section has a healthy portion of roots and foliage. This process not only creates new plants but also helps maintain the health of the original clump.

Common Pests and Diseases

The Golden Globe plant is robust and experiences few problems from pests or diseases. The most common issue is root rot, which arises from soil with poor drainage or from excessive watering. Adhering to the proper soil and watering guidelines is the best method of prevention.

Pests are rarely a concern for this plant. On occasion, aphids may appear, but they seldom cause significant damage and can be managed with a strong spray of water from a hose.