Growing and Harvesting Edible Amaranth (2024)

Amaranth Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing amaranth:

• Prepare average, well-drained, acidic soil with good air circulation.
• Plant in an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight.
• Water regularly, but not let plants sit in soggy soil.
• Supplemental fertilizer is not necessary.

Planting

Plant amaranth in an area that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours of the day. When transplanting amaranth, dig a hole slightly larger than the rootball, place the plant in the hole, backfill it with soil, and water it in. Leave about one foot of space between each plant.

Light

Amaranth does best in full sun in the northern part of its range, but in warm southern climates, it can benefit from some shade in the afternoon. Generally, plant amaranth in a location where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day.

Soil

Amaranth grows well in average soils and will even grow adequately in poor soils. Though very rich soils might hinder flowering and seed production, only dense clay mixtures will likely be unsuitable for amaranth.

Water

Amaranth plants have average needs for water, requiring no more than one inch per week. Take care not to overwater them or risk root rot or fungal diseases.

Temperature and Humidity

Unlike other leafy green vegetables, amaranth is pretty happy in the heat. Many species are native to the southern United States and Mexico, so you can expect them to thrive even when hot. The plant thrives best in temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees.

Fertilizer

Amaranth doesn't require any supplemental feeding. Excessive nitrogen (often found in fertilizers) can cause the plants to become leggy and less suitable for harvesting.

Types of Amaranth

Amaranth is an ancient crop originating in the Americas. It has been grown as a high-protein grain or a leafy vegetable for several thousand years, including by the Aztec civilization in Mexico in the 1400s.

The Amaranthus genus features at least 75 annual and short-lived perennial species that easily cross-breed and hybridize. Varieties of amaranth can range from giants topping eight feet tall to smaller one- to two-foot plants better suited for leaf harvest.

If you want to harvest the amaranth grain, you should cultivate larger plants specifically grown for their seeds. Some popular varieties include:

• Red-leaf amaranth (A. tricolor): This variety has especially nutritious foliage that tastes like slightly tangy spinach. 'Molten Fire' and 'Joseph's Coat' are popular cultivars of this species.
• 'Burgundy' (A. hypochondriacus): This cultivar has stunning purple leaves, red flowers, and white seeds.
• 'Hopi Red Dye' (A. cruentus): An heirloom species, this cultivar produces excellent protein-rich black seeds.

Harvesting Amaranth

To harvest amaranth grains, let the plant flower. Keep an eye on the flowers as they bloom and die back. Before they turn brown, cut the flowers off and place them in bags where they will dry.

Once dry, shake the bag or knock the seeds loose over a cloth. Rinse away the dried seed chaff and enjoy your grain harvest. Amaranth is especially good in a porridge containing other grains like milletandquinoa.

After harvesting, you can cut back tall plants to about two feet from the ground, which will encourage them to send out new, smaller shoots.

Pruning

Provide support for these heavy plants, such as tomato cages, stakes, or netting, to keep them upright. Pinch the plants for more manageable plants that don't grow over six feet. Cut back the center stem when the plants are about knee height. Clipping the main stem will promote branching with smaller and easier-to-access stems.

After harvesting the flowers, "deadhead" the spent blooms, so they do not go to seed and continue to send up blooms until frost arrives.

Propagating Amaranth

Amaranth plants will readily self-seed in the garden. However, you can also propagate amaranth by stem cuttings and division. These methods are faster than using seeds and produce identical plants.

Propagating Stem Cuttings

1. You'll need a fresh, moistened potting soil container, sterilized pruners, a transparent plastic film or bag, and rooting hormone.
2. Cut a healthy stem from an existing plant below a node where a leaf attaches to the stem and remove all leaves except for two or three at the top.
3. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder.
4. Place the cutting into a pot filled with moist potting soil and cover it with plastic to create greenhouse conditions, keeping the soil moist.
5. Once you notice new growth, usually after about two weeks, remove the plastic cover and move the cutting into bright but indirect sunlight.

Propagating via Division

1. Dig up the plant from outdoors or its pot.
2. Using a sharp knife or scissors, separate the roots into smaller sections with at least one stem and several roots.
3. Replant each section in bright, indirect light; water well.

How to Grow Amaranth From Seed

Collect seeds in the fall and replant them the following spring. When sowing amaranth outdoors, space seeds about four inches apart after the soil has warmed in late spring, barely covering them with soil.

Germination generally takes 7 to 14 days. Seeds require a minimum soil temperature of 50 degrees to germinate but will germinate much quicker at 68 degrees or above.As they sprout, thin the plants 10 to 18 inches apart; you can carefully dig them up and replant them elsewhere. Here's how to plant the seeds:

1. If starting seeds indoors, use a general seed-starting mix.
2. Sow seeds roughly six to eight weeks before your average last frost date.
3. Cover seeds lightly and keep them consistently moist at about 60 degrees.
4. After the seeds sprout, place the plants under bright light to continue growing until they're ready to move outside.
5. Harden off the seedlings to prepare them for outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden.

Potting and Repotting

Amaranth can be grown in hanging baskets, but depending on the variety, it can grow very large and develop long roots. Larger containers (10 gallons or more) are best for this plant.

It's primarily an annual, so amaranth should not need more than one growing container unless upgrading from its seedling container. Use well-draining potting soil and ensure the container has ample drainage holes.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Amaranth can fall prey to many of the same pests and diseases that affect other vegetables. Aphids and weevils are common. Insecticidal soaps are a good remedy for the former and floating row covers protect the plants from the latter.

Root rot can be a problem in wet, dense soil. Once root rot occurs, the plant must be removed. Your best defense against root rot is maintaining well-drained soil and not overwatering the plant.

How to Get Amaranth to Bloom

Amaranth reliably blooms from midsummer to the first frost. The amaranth blooms can be enjoyed as cut flowers, or you can allow them to brown and dry by cutting the entire flower stalk and drying it in a paper bag.

Bloom Months

Amaranth typically begins blooming in July.

How Long Does Amaranth Bloom?

Amaranth blooms last from July to first frost. Deadhead to encourage more blooms.

What Do Amaranth Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Amaranth flowers have showy, drooping, fuzzy red clusters of flowers with a mild, non-floral grassy scent.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Deadheading or removing the spent blooms is the best way to get more blooms. Make sure the plant is getting enough light.

Deadheading Amaranth Flowers

Deadheading is excellent for encouraging more blooms and also removes the risk of the plant self-seeding.

Common Problems with Amaranth

Amaranth is heat and drought-resistant and is easy to grow. However, you may notice any of the following issues:

Browning Leaves

Browning is often a result of overwatering. Underwatering is far less likely since it's drought-resistant.

Bird Destruction

Use netting to keep away birds. Birds love the seeds and will rip apart your flowers. Netting may preserve your flowers but hinder pollinators from reaching your plants.