Amaranth
Amaranthus caudatus
Amaranth is a vigorous annual grown for its dramatic drooping crimson flower tassels and for its highly nutritious edible leaves and gluten-free seeds. It has been cultivated for thousands of years across the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Amaranth is a diverse genus of annuals that includes ornamental, leafy-vegetable, and grain-producing types. The best-known ornamental, Amaranthus caudatus (love-lies-bleeding), produces long, rope-like ruby tassels that cascade dramatically.
Grain amaranths such as A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus were staple crops of the Aztec and Inca civilizations, valued for protein-rich, gluten-free seeds.
Fast-growing and adaptable, amaranth tolerates heat and poor soil, making it both an easy ornamental and a productive food plant.
How to identify it
- Height: Typically 3-5 ft, sometimes taller, with a strong upright stem.
- Flowers: Tiny flowers densely packed into long, drooping or upright tassels, often deep crimson, but also green, gold, or purple.
- Leaves: Broad, oval, alternate leaves, often tinged red or purple, sometimes used as a leafy green.
- Seeds: Tiny, lens-shaped, pale to dark seeds produced in large quantities.
- Habit: Coarse, bushy, with a tropical appearance.
Care & growing
Light: Full sun for strongest growth and color.
Water: Moderate watering; established plants tolerate drought well.
Soil: Adaptable to most soils, including poor ones, but does best in well-drained, moderately fertile ground.
Temperature: Warm-season plant; sow after the last frost when soil has warmed.
Feeding: Minimal feeding required; too much nitrogen can cause floppy growth.
Propagation: Grown from seed sown directly outdoors or started indoors. Seeds are tiny, so sow shallowly and thin seedlings.
Habitat & origin
Amaranthus caudatus likely originated in the Andean region of South America, while other species are native across the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
Amaranths grow in cultivated fields, gardens, and disturbed ground worldwide. Several wild species are common weeds (pigweed), while cultivated forms are grown for ornament, greens, or grain in warm regions globally.
Uses & benefits
Culinary: Young leaves are eaten as a nutritious cooked green; the seeds are a gluten-free pseudocereal high in protein, used in cereals, flour, and popped snacks.
Ornamental: Striking tassels add bold color and texture to borders and dried arrangements.
Nutritional & cultural: A historically important crop for Mesoamerican and Andean peoples, still valued for its high lysine content and as a 'superfood' grain.
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat amaranth?
Yes. The leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable and the tiny seeds are a nutritious, gluten-free grain that can be cooked or popped.
Is amaranth the same as pigweed?
They are closely related. Several wild amaranth species are known as pigweed; cultivated grain and ornamental types are selected forms of the same genus.
Is amaranth annual or perennial?
It is grown as a warm-season annual and self-seeds readily, often returning the following year from dropped seed.
How do I harvest the grain?
Let the seed heads dry on the plant, then shake or rub them over a container and winnow away the chaff.
Amaranth guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Amaranth.
