You've finally got it. After surviving the nightmare of the Eternal City and dodging those giant arrows that hit like freight trains, you're standing in front of a chest. Inside is the Great Ghost Glovewort. It’s the holy grail for your Spirit Ashes. But here is the thing: most players treat it like just another upgrade material. It isn't.
In Elden Ring, resources are either infinite or painfully rare. This flower falls into the "painfully rare" bucket. Unlike the standard gloveworts that you can eventually buy in bulk from the Twin Maiden Husks, you cannot farm these. You can’t buy them with runes. Once they are gone from your world, they are gone until you hit New Game Plus.
What exactly is a Great Ghost Glovewort?
Basically, it is the Spirit Ash version of an Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone. While Grave Gloveworts are for your "basic" summons (think the pack of wolves or those annoying skeletons), the Great Ghost Glovewort is strictly for Renowned Spirit Ashes. These are the legendary, named summons like Tiche or the Mimic Tear. It takes a spirit from +9 to +10.
The power spike is massive. A +10 Tiche can practically solo some endgame bosses while you sit in the corner eating crab. But because you only get a handful per playthrough, you have to be picky. Very picky.
Where to find Great Ghost Glovewort in the Lands Between
Honestly, if you aren't looking in the underground regions, you aren't going to find these. They don't grow in the sun. They grow where things have been dead for a very, very long time.
Nokstella, Eternal City
This is usually where people find their first one. You have to head to the Ainsel River Main and work your way into Nokstella. There is a room with a massive silver ball that tries to crush you—classic FromSoftware. Once you deal with the ball (or run past it like a coward, no judgment), there’s a chest in that room. That’s your prize.
💡 You might also like: Wordle Start Words 5 Letters: Why Your First Guess Is Probably Killing Your Streak
Night's Sacred Ground (Nokron)
You’ll need to progress Ranni’s quest to get here. It’s tucked away under the massive skeleton statue sitting on the throne. It is one of the most iconic spots in the game, and the chest at the base contains a Great Ghost Glovewort. Just watch out for the Silver Tears that transform into... well, you.
Ainsel River Downstream
This one requires you to kill a boss. Specifically, the Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella. He’s big, he’s blue, and he’s got frost lightning. Once he’s dead, look for a small room under a waterfall nearby. There’s a chest waiting for you.
The DLC Changes Everything: Shadow of the Erdtree Additions
When the DLC dropped, everyone wondered if we’d finally get a bell bearing to buy these. We didn't. But we did get more locations. If you're struggling with the spiked difficulty of the Shadow Realm, maxing out a second or third spirit is basically mandatory.
- Fog Rift Catacombs: This is the first one you’ll likely find in the Gravesite Plain. It's deep in the dungeon, hidden behind a spiked ceiling trap. You have to wait for the ceiling to drop, then jump on top of it as it rises to reach a hidden ledge.
- Darklight Catacombs: This place is a nightmare of darkness and big imps. One of those giant imps—the one that shoots cannons—actually drops a Great Ghost Glovewort when you kill it. You have to lower the platform it's standing on first using a lever in the back room.
- Scorpion River Catacombs: Located in the Rauh Base region. It's a long trek, but there's another one waiting for you at the end of this rot-infested hole.
Why people mess up their upgrades
I’ve seen it a dozen times. A player gets their first Great Ghost Glovewort and immediately dumps it into the Jellyfish because they like the way it glows. Look, the Jellyfish is a homie, but she doesn't need to be +10 to do her job.
Save these for the heavy hitters. If you aren't sure, here is the short list of spirits actually worth the "Great" tier material:
- Black Knife Tiche: Her percentage-based health drain is broken.
- Mimic Tear: Still the king, provided your own build doesn't suck.
- Dung Eater Puppet: Incredibly tanky and applies a massive defense debuff to enemies.
- Lhutel the Headless: Great for survival because she teleports and avoids damage.
The Bell Bearing Myth
I need to clear this up because the wiki comments are always full of confused people. You can find Ghost-Glovewort Picker's Bell Bearings [1], [2], and [3]. These allow you to buy Ghost Glovewort 1 through 9.
They do not allow you to buy the Great version.
To get the third Bell Bearing, you have to reach the Haligtree (specifically the Drainage Canal area) or find it in the late-game areas of the DLC. Even then, the shop will only ever show up to level 9. The final step is always a manual hunt.
The Math of New Game Plus
If you are a completionist, you’re in for a long haul. There are about 22 Renowned Spirit Ashes in the base game alone. Since you only get 4 or 5 Great Ghost Gloveworts per run, you would need to play through the game five times to max them all.
Most people just pick their favorite three and call it a day. Honestly? That's the smart move. Don't waste a rare flower on a spirit you're only using because you think the name sounds cool.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're staring at a +9 spirit right now, check your inventory. If you don't have the flower, head to Nokstella first—it’s the easiest one to grab without a major boss fight if you’ve already opened the way. If you’re in the DLC, make a beeline for the Fog Rift Catacombs. It’s accessible almost immediately after entering the Shadow Realm and provides a much-needed power boost for the bosses ahead. Just remember to ride the top of the trap; that’s the trick most people miss.