Of the more than 70 species in the Amaranthus genus worldwide, only about a dozen are cultivated, either as ornamentals or as food crops grown for their grain and leaves. The majority of the species are considered weeds, a far cry from the plants with bronze or purple foliage and tassel-shaped flowers that make amaranth a favorite for bouquets and cut flowers. Choosing among amaranthus varieties works the same way a builder weighs varieties of masonry construction: match the plant to the site, the climate, and the job it needs to do. The two purposes of growing amaranth are not mutually exclusive, so a single bed can deliver striking flowers, tender greens, and a harvest of protein-rich seed.
The Amaranthus Family at a Glance
The name amaranth comes from the Greek word for unfading, a nod to flower heads that keep their color long after cutting. Cultivated amaranths trace back thousands of years as a staple crop in the Americas, where the Aztecs and other groups grew the grain for food and used the flowers in ceremony. Modern breeders have selected forms with larger seed heads, deeper leaf color, and more dramatic tassels, so today’s garden plants often look nothing like their weedy relatives.
In a designed border, the upright plumes and dark foliage of amaranth supply structure in much the same way Japanese maples in the landscape anchor a planting, though amaranth does the job on a single-season timetable. Because most cultivated types are fast-growing annuals, they fill gaps quickly and can be replanted each year without reshaping the permanent layout.
What Sets Cultivated Amaranth Apart
Cultivated species were chosen for traits that matter to gardeners and cooks: uniform germination, sturdy stems, dense flower heads, and higher seed yield. Weedy amaranths share the same botany but produce thin, scattered growth and aggressive self-seeding, which is why they show up uninvited in vegetable rows and along field edges.
Growth Habits and Life Cycles
Almost all garden amaranths grow as annuals in temperate climates, completing their life cycle in one season. They are C4 plants, a photosynthetic pathway that lets them keep producing in heat that slows down many other crops. Mature height ranges from about 2 feet for compact types to 8 feet for the tallest grain strains, and the plants tolerate dry spells once established.
- Heights: 2 to 8 feet depending on species and cultivar
- Foliage: green, bronze, burgundy, or variegated red and cream
- Flowers: upright plumes, hanging tassels, or feathery clusters in red, purple, gold, and green
- Life cycle: annual in most climates, reseeds readily
Five Cultivated Species Worth Knowing
Garden centers and seed catalogs in North America most often stock plants from five cultivated species. Each has a different silhouette and strength, so knowing the species behind a cultivar helps you predict height and whether it is better for grain, leaves, or display.
The Core North American Species
The table below summarizes the five species most commonly cultivated in North America, their native ranges, and primary uses.
| Species | Common names | Native range | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranthus cruentus | Red amaranth, blood amaranth | Guatemala, Mexico | Grain, red plumes, natural dye |
| Amaranthus caudatus | Foxtail amaranth, love-lies-bleeding | Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador | Hanging tassels, cut flowers |
| Amaranthus hybridus | Slim amaranth | Eastern North America, Mexico, Central America, northern South America | Leafy greens, grain |
| Amaranthus hypochondriacus | Prince of Wales feather | Mexico | Grain, upright plumes |
| Amaranthus tricolor | Joseph’s coat, Chinese spinach | Tropical Asia | Foliage color, cooked greens |
Popular Cultivars Within the Species
Within these five species, breeders have released dozens of named cultivars. Widely grown examples include:
- ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ and ‘Elephant Head’ (Amaranthus caudatus), grown for long, rope-like tassels that drape over the edge of a bed or container
- ‘Hopi Red Dye’ (Amaranthus cruentus), a tall grain type whose seed heads also produce a traditional red colorant
- ‘Early Splendor’ and ‘Autumn Palette’ (Amaranthus hypochondriacus), upright plume types with rich reds and bronzes
- ‘Molten Fire’ and ‘Aurora’ (Amaranthus tricolor), foliage plants with brilliant red, yellow, and cream leaf patterns
Matching Cultivar to Purpose
Read the catalog description before buying. A cultivar billed for grain has dense, heavy seed heads; one billed for cutting has long stems and tassels that hold color; a foliage type gives color but smaller flowers. For both flowers and food, choose a dual-purpose species such as A. cruentus or A. hypochondriacus.
Site Selection and Bed Preparation
Amaranth is not fussy about soil, but it rewards a site with full sun and good drainage. Plants receiving at least six to eight hours of direct light produce denser flower heads and ripen more seed, while shaded plants grow leggy and bloom sparsely.
Sun, Soil, and Spacing
- Sun: full sun, six to eight hours minimum
- Soil: well-drained loam with a pH near 6.0 to 7.5
- Spacing: 12 to 18 inches between plants, 24 to 36 inches between rows for tall types
- Water: about 1 inch per week until established, less once plants are mature
Preparing the ground follows the same logic builders apply in a detailed classification of paving slabs: the base determines how well the surface performs. A loose, weed-free bed with organic matter grows stronger plants than a compacted one, no matter how good the seed is.
Soil Preparation Steps
- Test the soil pH and adjust with lime or sulfur if it falls outside 6.0 to 7.5.
- Spread 2 to 3 inches of compost over the bed and till or fork it to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
- Rake the surface level and remove stones, roots, and clods.
- Water the bed deeply a day before planting so seed sits in moist soil.
Planting Times and Methods
Sow seed directly after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed to about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Seed is small, so plant it no deeper than 1/4 inch and keep the surface moist until germination, usually 7 to 14 days. For an earlier start, sow indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost and move transplants out when night temperatures stay above 50 degrees. Thin seedlings to the strongest plant at each spacing mark.
Growing Amaranth in Containers
Container Growing
Compact cultivars grow well in pots, which lets you move color around the patio or balcony as seasons change. Unlike indoor foliage plants such as dracaena plant varieties, which tolerate low light, amaranth demands full sun even when container-grown, so place pots in the brightest spot you have.
Use a container at least 12 to 14 inches deep for dwarf types and 18 inches or larger for full-size plants; a 5-gallon pot handles one tall amaranth. Keep drainage holes clear, because waterlogged roots rot quickly in summer heat.
Potting Mix and Feeding
Fill pots with a well-draining potting mix and blend in a slow-release fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds once flower heads form, since they push leafy growth at the expense of blooms. Container plants dry out faster than garden beds, so check soil moisture daily and water when the top inch feels dry.
Harvesting Grain, Leaves, and Flowers
Harvest timing depends on the part you want. The plant gives up leaves early, flowers in mid-season, and grain at the end, so one planting can be picked over for months.
Harvesting Leaves
Pick young leaves and shoot tips 4 to 6 weeks after sowing, once plants are about 12 inches tall. Harvest like spinach: take the outer leaves first and leave the growing point intact so the plant keeps producing. Cook them like spinach, steam them into side dishes, or add them to soups; they supply notable amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Harvesting Grain
Grain amaranth pays off at the end of the season, when the seed heads dry to a papery husk. Choosing an amaranth for the kitchen works the same way as picking tomato varieties for home gardeners: decide how you will use the harvest before you buy seed. If you want flour, porridge, or popped grain, choose a species selected for seed yield such as A. cruentus or A. hypochondriacus.
A single well-grown plant can produce tens of thousands of tiny seeds, and the grain is naturally gluten-free with roughly 13 to 14 percent protein, including lysine, an amino acid most cereal grains lack.
Drying and Threshing Steps
- Wait until the seed heads feel dry and seeds rattle when you shake them.
- Cut the heads and hang them upside down in a paper bag for 1 to 2 weeks to finish drying.
- Rub the heads between your hands over a bowl to release the seed.
- Winnow by pouring the seed slowly in front of a fan so the chaff blows away.
Harvesting Flowers for Bouquets
For fresh arrangements, cut tassels when they are fully developed but before the seed begins to shatter. Strip the lower leaves, recut stems under water, and place them in a vase with floral preservative. The flowers last about a week fresh, and the same stems dry well for winter if you hang them in a cool, dark space.
| Harvest | Timing | Method | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 4 to 6 weeks after sowing | Pinch outer leaves, keep the growing point | Refrigerate, use within a few days |
| Flowers | Mid-season, full color | Cut long stems, strip lower leaves | Vase for a week, or hang to dry |
| Grain | End of season, dry heads | Rub and winnow the seed | Store dry in a sealed jar for months |
Designing With Amaranth and Choosing the Right Variety
Landscape Roles
Tall plumed types anchor the back of a border, where their height reads against fences and walls. Hanging-tassel types such as love-lies-bleeding spill over the front edge of raised beds and containers. Foliage types like Joseph’s coat act as living color blocks in mass plantings, and all earn a place in a cutting garden because they produce stems in quantity.
A Decision Framework for Choosing
Narrow the field with three questions: how much sun does the site get, how tall can the plant grow, and what will you harvest? The answers point to a short list.
- Hanging tassels for edges and containers: choose A. caudatus cultivars
- Upright plumes for the back of the border: choose A. hypochondriacus
- Grain and flour for the kitchen: choose A. cruentus or A. hypochondriacus
- Foliage color in mass plantings: choose A. tricolor
- Leafy greens for cooking: choose A. hybridus or A. cruentus
The same careful weighing that goes into understanding marble varieties for home building and interior projects applies when you decide which amaranth earns a place in your garden. Match the cultivar to the light, the space, and the harvest you plan, and one planting feeds your table and your flower vases from midsummer to the first hard frost.