How to Grow Amaranths: The Compete Amaranth Flower Guide (2024)

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Amaranth is a warm-season plant which likes full sun, at least 6 hours per day. It will survive in partial sun but may not grow as large or yield as highly. Loose, fertile, and well-drained soil is ideal, but amaranth will grow in less-than-perfect conditions. It is not picky about pH, and will tolerate dry conditions once established. Amaranth will try to grow for you no matter what conditions you giveit.

When to PlantAmaranth

Amaranth can be direct-seeded or transplanted from starts. It is not frost tolerant, so wait until the last frost has passed, and the soil has warmed a bit. If starting seeds indoors, begin sowing about 6 to 8 weeks before the lastfrost.

Don’t forget to harden seedlings off (slowly adapting them to the outdoors) before transplanting them into thegarden.

How to PlantAmaranth

To direct-seedamaranth:

• Prepare the bed and sow sparingly—the plants get quitelarge.
• Barely cover the seeds with a light brushing ofsoil.
• Running your hands lightly over the seeds is likely enough to cover many ofthem.
• Thin to about one every 12 inches once a couple of sets of true leaves areout.

To start amaranthindoors:

• Sow them in soil blocks or prepared trays of well-moistened seed startingmix.
• Plant the seeds about 1/8 inchdeep.
• If planting in cell trays, drop two seeds per cell and thin to one per cell if necessary once they have germinated. Snip the extras; don’t pull themout.
• Keep them lightly moist but not soggy, and provide plenty of light once theysprout.
• Harden off and plant outside once the last frost has passed, about when you transplant tomatoes orpeppers.

Amaranth grows slowly for the first month and can easily be outcompeted by weeds (including the wild, noxious amaranths). After the plants have 2 to 3 sets of true leaves and are 8 to 10 inches tall, they grow rapidly and will close the canopy, shading out the otherweeds.

They are not heavy feeders like corn but will appreciate some compost worked into the soil before planting. Mulching can help with soil moisture and weed pressure when the plants areyounger.

Once established, they are somewhat drought tolerant but will benefit from watering in the dry, hot parts of summer.

Ornamentals

• ‘Coral Fountain’ (A. caudatus) is a flowing, cascading ornamental variety with lovely coral-coloredblooms.
• ‘Hot Biscuits’ (A. cruentus) is the current rage of the flower farming world. Loads of large blooms are perfect for autumn arrangements; it is a prolificperformer.
• ‘Love-lies-bleeding’ (A. caudatus) is another gorgeous flowing and cascading variety with blooms the color of a fruity redwine.

Grain andLeaf

• ‘Golden Giant’ (A. hypochondriacus) is a large, heavy seed producer, with some growers reporting yields of up to one pound per plant. Beautiful golden grain and tasty young leaves. If you are looking for grain, this variety is hard tobeat.
• ‘Chinese multicolor’ (A. tricolor) is tasty in salads and stir fry, with unique leafpatterns.
• ‘Aurelia’s Verde’ (A. cruentus) is a green head amaranth rich in vitamins and iron, reportedly saved from the Mayan communities of CentralAmerica.

Harvesting amaranth for cut flower arrangements is as simple as snipping off the head and placing the stem in a bucket of cool water until you are ready to use it. Amaranth blooms typically will last 7-10 days in thevase.

To harvest asgrain:

Check for the grain to be ready. On mature flowers, hold your hand under a flower and lightly brush it or rub. It’s likely ready if a bit of grain falls off in your hand. If only a seed or two drops, wait another few days and checkagain.

If you notice flocks of birds landing in your amaranth, it’s time to harvest,quick!

• Harvest the entire flower head, trimming it off with shears orsecateurs.
• Over a large bowl or tablecloth, lightly rub and agitate the flowers, letting the grain fall free to be captured. Shaking the heads in a clean pillowcase or bag can also workwell.
• Winnow the grain by pouring from one bowl to another in a light breeze or in front of a fan. Amaranth is hull-less, but bits of dried flowers, insects, and chaff can beremoved.
• The insects who stowed away will often hop along if you set the bowl near the ground and the sides are not too steep. Leave it for a few hours, and most will look for newhomes.
• Store the grain in an air-tightcontainer.

Andy Wilcox