Globe Gilia
Globe Gilia is a flower in the Polemoniaceae family. It grows best in full sun with dry to medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 3-10. Plants reach maturity about 51–69 days after planting and sit about 6 inches apart.
Varieties
1 from Seeds Now · sorted by days to maturity▸Globe Gilia51–69 days
The Globe Gilia (Gilia capitata) is an easy-care drought-tolerant annual. Produces globe-shaped 1"-2" blue-hued flowers on thin stems with lacy foliage that grow 2' to 3' tall. Also called Queen Anne’s Thimble for its resemblance to a pincushion. Life cycle: Annual Bloom season: Spring, summer Attracts: Bees, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other pollinators Flower meaning: Affection, beauty, desire, hope, inspiration, love
Growing notes: Botanical name: Gilia capitata|Hardiness zones: 3-10|Planting season: Spring, fall|Days to maturity: 60 days|Cold stratify: Yes|Depth to plant seeds: 1/8" deep|Spacing between plants: 6"-8" apart|Days to germinate (sprout): 14-21 days|Germination soil temps: 70F-75F|Soil types: Sandy, loamy, rocky, dry, well-drained|Soil pH: 6.0-7.0|Water needs: Low - do not overwater|Sun needs: Full sun|Frost tolerant: No|Drought tolerant: Yes|Deer resistant: Yes
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Plant spacing
In a square-foot bed, space globe gilia about 6 in apart — that fits 4 plants in each 1-foot square (2×2). Wider rows or containers space the same.
Plan your globe gilia planting
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Growing timeline
Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations
When to feed, prune & water
Attract beneficial insects and protect pollinators
Protection- Routine carePlant insectary flowers and tolerate light pestsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Grow a diversity of flowering plants (including small-flowered umbels and asters) to feed predators and parasitoids, and tolerate low pest numbers so natural enemies have prey to stick around.
- Routine careNever spray open bloomsstrong evidence — extension confidence
Avoid insecticides on flowering plants and apply any needed sprays in the evening when pollinators aren't active, and favor selective products over broad-spectrum ones to spare bees and beneficials.
Something looks wrong?
Describe what you see on your globe giliaand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.
Powdery mildew
Diseasemoderate- CulturalImprove airflow + remove worst leavesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Cut out the most heavily coated leaves and thin for airflow; avoid wetting foliage late in the day.
- OrganicPotassium-bicarbonate or sulfur - label use only· every 1 wk · ~4 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply a labeled potassium-bicarbonate or sulfur fungicide weekly per the label. No sulfur within 2 weeks of oil or in high heat.
Spider mites
Pestmoderate- CulturalHose down and raise humidity· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Mites thrive in hot, dry, dusty conditions. Spray foliage (especially undersides) with water to dislodge them and reduce dust.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil - label use only· every 5 days · ~2 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply to undersides per label; mites resist many products, so soaps/oils are preferred. Not in extreme heat.
Aphids
Pestlow- CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
- OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.