Growing Amaranth, also Love-lies-bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

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

(Best months for growing Amaranth in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: sow after risk of frost has gone

  • 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

Your comments and tips

11 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
With Amaranth you need to use a seed raising mix but dont raise them in a tray they do best direct sown. Keep the soil moist until they germinate (nice sunny spot),i recommend you thin them out to 30cm spaces between plants as they grow and be prepared for them to get as tall as 8-9 feet tall if your soil is high in nitrogen.
02 Nov 10, Annie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I bought amaranth seeds from the health store in Hobart. About $5 per kilo
04 Nov 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Were they unblanched viable seed? I've only found blanched (and therefore dead and ungrowable) in our local store.
11 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
If your looking for Amaranth seeds try diggers.com there and aussie company and have large range of seeds and they have an online shop
02 Nov 10, Marianne (Australia - temperate climate)
As amaranth has 18% protein, why does one of the biggest pesticide companies in the world rate it on top of their list of weeds ??
27 Feb 11, Joe (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Have you ever watched landline on the ABC midday on sunday's. Some programs have explained the correlation of weedicides and Plant variety rights. So be cynical and all will be clear.
05 Nov 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Probably because it can out-compete other plants. If you're trying to grow maize you might not want a field of amaranth taking over instead..
24 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Garry, Young amaranth leaves are edible and very nutritious! Used a lot in Asia as young leaves in salad, or steamed greens. It contains oxalic acid, so best not to eat raw in large quantities, but no problem if cooked in water for 2 minutes and discard the water
14 Jan 10, Garry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can someone tell me if this is an edible plant ?I have heard the name before but no little about it.I love growing and eating the unusual.
25 Dec 09, Mei (Australia - temperate climate)
Bought seeds from Diggers Club - details for Diggers Club can be found in gardening magazines e. g. Gardening Australia
Showing 51 - 60 of 68 comments

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