Only dense clay mixtures are likely to be completely unsuitable for amaranth, though very rich soils may hinder flowering and seed production. Amaranth plants have average needs for water, requiring no more than 1 inch per week. Take care not to overwater your plant, or you run the risk of root rot or fungal diseases. Unlike other leafy green vegetables, amaranth is fairly happy in the heat. Many species are native to the southern U. Amaranth doesn't require any additional feeding.
In fact, excessive nitrogen often found in fertilizers can cause the plants to become leggy and less suitable for harvesting.
Varieties of amaranth can range from giants topping 8 feet tall, to smaller 1- to 2-foot plants better suited for leaf harvest only.
You should cultivate larger plants specifically grown for their seeds if you want the amaranth grain. Some popular varieties include:. Thanks to their plentiful seeds, amaranth plants will readily self-seed in the garden. As they sprout in spring, the volunteers can be thinned out to about 10 to 18 inches apart, or carefully dug up and transplanted elsewhere.
It's also possible to collect some of the seeds in the fall and replant them the following spring. Be aware, though, that if the original plants were hybrids, the volunteer seedlings may not "come true" and can look different than the parent plant.
When planting amaranth outdoors, sow seeds about 4 inches apart, barely covering them with soil. Germination generally takes seven to 14 days. As they sprout, thin the plants out to a spacing of 10 to 18 inches.
If starting seeds indoors, you can use a general seed-starting mix and make sure to harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors. The average outdoor temperature needs to reach about 55 degrees Fahrenheit before you can successfully plant the seedlings outdoors. You can harvest both the leaves and grains from any amaranth, but if your goal is an edible plant, choose a variety specialized for that. Some types of amaranth are marketed as best for seed production, while others are bred for their attractive, tasty leaves.
Regardless of your cultivar, amaranth leaves can be harvested at any point. Small leaves are more tender, but the larger leaves boast a fuller flavor. When harvesting the plant's leaves, make sure to leave the crown intact, as well as some leaves around the top, so the plant can continue to grow. Alternately, you can also cut the whole plant off at ground level when it is between 1 and 2 feet tall. To harvest amaranth grains, let the plant go all the way to flower.
Keep an eye on the flowers as they bloom and begin to die back. Before they all turn brown, cut the flowers off and place them in bags, where they will dry. Shake the bag once they are dry, or knock the seeds loose over a cloth. Pick leaves whilst small and tender to use in salads; use young or older leaves in stir-fries, curries and many other dishes. The seeds are similar to quinoa with a mild nutty flavour and again can be added to a range of dishes.
Harvest the ripe seeds in late summer or autumn by either shaking the seed heads over a container or into a bag whilst still on the plant. Alternatively, cut off the seed head and hang upside down enclosed by a bag for a few days until the seeds fall.
Amaranthus is mostly trouble-free to grow. Virus diseases can occur when plants develop pale, unhealthy or mottled leaves: there is no cure and affected plants should be destroyed. Because aphids transmit viruses, inspect plants regularly — small infestations can be controlled by hand-squashing or by simple chemical-free methods.
S mall, deep red flowers form eye-catching hanging tassels. The flowers can be cut and used fresh or dried. Height x Spread: 1m x 50cm. Can be grown as an ornamental or for eating. The beautiful crimson, pompon tassels look especially beautiful as a cut flower. H x S: 75cm x 40cm. It makes a good bedding plant and is suitable for growing in borders or containers.
It makes an excellent cut flower in both fresh and dried arrangements. H x S: 60cm x 30cm. This charming hardy climber creates a canopy of glossy green foliage, which in summer is strewn with flat white panicles of flowers on long stems.
Add colour to your garden this winter, select from pansy 'Colourburst', 'Grande Fragrance', wallflower 'Wizard' and viola 'Valentino'. A superb evergreen bearing delicate, waxy, bell-shaped flowers in the depths of winter, with lush green foliage for year-round interest.
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Growing Amaranth Greens Since amaranth is a warm season crop , you should wait until after your final frost to plant it outside. Harvesting and Eating Amaranth Amaranth grains are usually ready to harvest within three months of planting.
Over to You We hope you enjoy growing and eating your own amaranth! Category "Plant Growing Guides".
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