How to Grow and Care for Amaranth

The Amaranthus genus is a complicated one featuring at least 75 annual and short-lived perennial species that easily cross-breed and hybridize. Today, most gardeners are familiar with the species as annual ornamental plants and many don't realize that amaranths are also edible plants that can be grown for their grain-like seeds and edible leaves. Culinary use was once the primary reason amaranth was grown as a staple in home cottage gardens. The use of amaranth as an ornamental plant is a relatively recent development in the plant's history.

Amaranth are characterized by large, broad leaves with prominent veining. Each plant produces a single flower at the end of the tall reddish stem. Colors are usually burgundy, red, pink, or salmon.

Amaranth Care

Amaranth grows well in any average well-drained soil, so make sure the site you choose has good drainage and air circulation. To ensure continued production, it's a good idea to stagger planting every two to three weeks, beginning a week or two after the last frost date in your region.

While amaranth plants are tall, they aren’t necessarily wide or bushy, so you can plant them 10 to 18 inches apart. The closer you plant them, the better they look once fully grown. At the same time, they need enough space to provide good air circulation.

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. Only dense clay mixtures are likely to be completely unsuitable for amaranth, though very rich soils might hinder flowering and seed production.

Water

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

Temperature and Humidity

Unlike other leafy green vegetables, amaranth is fairly happy in the heat. Many species are native to the southern U.S. and Mexico, so you can expect them to thrive even when the temperatures are unusually warm.

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

Varieties of amaranth can range from giants topping eight feet tall, to smaller one- to two-foot plants better suited for leaf harvest. You should cultivate larger plants specifically grown for their seeds if you want to harvest the amaranth grain. Some popular varieties include:

• Red-leaf amaranth (Amaranthus 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): Stunning purple leaves, red flowers, and white seeds adorn this variety.
• ‘Hopi Red Dye’ (A. cruentus): An heirloom species, it produces excellent protein-rich black seeds.

Propagating Amaranth

Thanks to their plentiful seeds, amaranth plants will readily self-seed in the garden. As they sprout in spring, thin the volunteer seedlings to about 10 to 18 inches apart, or carefully dig them up and transplant them elsewhere. It's also possible to collect seeds in the fall and replant them the following spring. Be aware, though, that if the original plants were hybrids, the volunteer seedlings might not be the same plant as the parent plant.

How to Grow Amaranth From Seed

When sowing amaranth outdoors, space seeds about four inches apart after soil has warmed in late spring, barely covering them with soil. Germination generally takes 7 to 14 days. As they sprout, thin the plants 10 to 18 inches apart.

If starting seeds indoors, you can use a general seed-starting mix and sow seeds roughly 6-8 weeks before your average last frost date. Cover seeds lightly and keep them consistently moist at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. After seeds sprout, place the plants under bright light to continue growing until they're ready to make the move outside. Make sure to harden off the seedlings to prepare them for outdoor conditions before transplanting them into the garden. The average outdoor temperature needs to reach about 55 degrees Fahrenheit before you can successfully plant the seedlings outdoors.

Overwintering

This plant will die in the winter but because it self-seeds quite readily, you can count on new plants popping up in the spring.

Common Pests

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 will protect the plants from the latter. Avoid using commercial pesticides with a "wait to pick" or any other type of warning regarding consumption. Many of these types of pesticides are broad-spectrum, designed to eliminate multiple insects, and might contain ingredients that aren't meant to be ingested by humans.

Common Problems with Amaranth

Root rot can be a problem in wet, dense soil or in periods where rainfalls are frequent and copious. 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.