Growing Amaranth, also Love-lies-bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 7-8 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, corn, peppers, egg plant, tomatoes
  • Amaranth flowers
  • Amaranth seedling (CC BY-SA 3.0 Bruce Ackley, Ohio State University)

Amaranth species are frequently grown as flower plants and have many colour variations.

Amaranth tricolor is known as Chinese spinach and has an insignificant flower.

Needs a warm sunny position. Avoid heavy soils. Poor germination rates are common.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Amaranth

Both leaves and seeds can be used. Excessive intake is not recommended.
Suggestions for use and warnings can be found here http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
29 Oct 23, Lisa (USA - Zone 6a climate)
I've already harvested n cut back the tops. I grew them in a grow bag, is it possible to overwinter them inside my house under lights? If I do will the survive and grow flowers again?
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28 Aug 22, Carole (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I live in Prescott Arizona which has four seasons. Should I plant the Amaranth directly into the ground or start it in a pot? And what time of year should I do this? Thank you
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11 May 22, Diane (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Is Amaranth perennial in Cleveland, Ohio/
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22 Jan 22, Bill Horn (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Living in Palm Springs. What variety of Amarthants should I try to grow. I have shaded North side or a VERY sunny West patio landscaping beds and patio......in ground or in pots? Help please. Bill
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24 Jan 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Any variety and a sunny position. Pots require a lot of looking after.
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13 Jun 20, Rupa (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Can I sow the amaranthus seed now(June month). Will it work?? I am living in zone10a
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16 Apr 20, Tanya King (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Your site says Amaranth isn't recommended to grow in Zone 5, but I've seen amaranth grow and spread on the University of Colorado Denver campus. It seems to be growing just fine as it comes back every year.
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02 Jul 20, Victor Vasconcelos (USA - Zone 6a climate)
At what time does it grow in Colorado?
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03 Oct 18, Sarah (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I've recently started growing amaranth in pots. They have done really well indoors but they are getting too large and I have started putting them on the patio. I live in a hot dry climate 9B is what I'm getting for Phoenix Arizona. So my concern is if it can survive Heat more than winter as Winters do not get very cold here can you give me any tips for keeping it healthy here and a hot/warm dry climate? Would they survive if planted in the ground better? The ground here can be very hard. Do you think it would be safer to keep them in pot so I can bring them indoors and move around if needed?
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11 Dec 21, Chupacabra (USA - Zone 9b climate)
We're about 150 miles west of Phoenix and have been growing the same stand of Amaranth for 6 years. Yours will be just fine.
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