Amaranth

90 Days. This native amaranth from Guatemala flowers light green. It is primarily used for grain that is rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Iron. This variety has been revived in the Mayan communities of Baja Verapaz after almost being lost during the civil war. It is named after Aurelia, the woman whose family revived and saved seeds of this amaranth.

• 90 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus cruentus

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

A heat- and drought-tolerant green in spectacular splashes of color! This leafy “spinach” amaranth is popular in Asia, eaten raw, stir fried, or steamed. It is known as bireum In Korea and as xian cai in China. Recent research has shown that amaranth in Asia is identical to that of amaranth in the Americas, and has been proven to have existed in Asia for millennia. The presence of amaranth in Asia is considered a living piece of evidence that pre-Columbian transatlantic trade indeed happened. This is by far the most tender and sweetest amaranth for edible greens, making for vibrant and delicious salad. The young leaves are a perfect spinach substitute; the intricately colored leaves are juicy and succulent. This is the go-to “green” for midsummer when all others have bolted, and can be harvested just 30-40 days from sowing.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus tricolor

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

90 Days. A fountain of eye-catching magenta-burgundy blooms! Here’s a different amaranth—curious flower heads in a weeping habit, with “tassels” sometimes reaching down to the ground. Compact plants seldom exceed 3-4 feet in height. Seeds and young leaves are edible and highly nutritious. This variety is stunning in beds and borders and it makes a top-notch cutting flower for floral design. Adds some serious drama to the garden!

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Plant Height: 3'
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus caudatus

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

90 Days. This red-flowering, grain type amaranth is from Guatemala, where amaranth has been a staple crop for centuries. It was recently revived in the Mayan communities of Baja Verapaz after nearly being lost during the civil war. It is named for Elena, an indigenous farmer who was primarily responsible for the recovery of this rare local variety.

• 90 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus cruentus

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

90 Days. The attractive golden-colored flower heads produce up to 1 pound of white seed per plant, making this a very heavy producer. These seeds are high in protein, and they can be cooked in a number of ways: popped like popcorn, stewed into porridge, and more. Young leaves are also tasty as cooked greens. Plants grow to about 6 feet and are easy to grow.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Plant Height: 6'
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus hypochondriacus

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

45 Days. A popular green vegetable in many countries, including many Caribbean islands where this plant is famous for Calaloo Seafood Soup. Light green leaves are great in stews, stir fries, and soups, with a tangy, spinach-like flavor. Easy to grow in warm weather.

• 45 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus tricolor

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

90 days. A stunningly vibrant ornamental with myriad traditional Indigenous uses. Originally grown as a dye plant by the southwestern Hopi Nation, this variety has the reddest seedlings of any amaranth known. Plants reach 4-6 feet and cut a most striking figure in the garden! The Hopis use the deep red flower bract as a natural dye to color their world-renowned piki bread. The brilliant red dye rendered from its flowers can be used in craft projects and as a natural food dye -- the possibilities are endless. The young leaves are excellent sautéed.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Plant Height: 4-6'
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus cruentus

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.

(Amaranthus caudatus) 60 days. An heirloom flower of antiquity that is rooted in Indigenous agriculture of South America, as well as in cottage gardens of yesteryear. This is a very old heirloom variety that was very popular as a dramatic ornamental dating to before 1700. The tall plants are covered with very long rope-like flowers of a deep, brilliant red color. The long strands of color weep on the plant, making for an entirely unique form that is striking in the landscape and floral design. The 3-to 4-foot-tall plants are especially well suited to adding drama and flair to the back of the border.

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 6"
• Plant Height: 36-48"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus caudatus

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility. 

A heat-tolerant and tender green perfect for those looking to infuse magenta color into their culinary color palette! The tender, bright pink stems and soft, glossy green leaves make this a gourmet spinach substitute. Among the heat-tolerant greens, this one is especially refined and tasty. It hails from southern India, where you can find these greens sliced into ribbons and stir fried with chilies, garlic, curry leaf, and grated fresh coconut. The greens are endlessly versatile, and we enjoy them raw and cooked. A powerhouse of nutrition and very heat tolerant for summer. A gorgeous addition to the garden -- an edible ornamental indeed!

• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 3-4 days
• Ideal Temperature: 65-90 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: 1/8”
• Plant Spacing: 12”
• Frost Hardy: No
• Amaranthus tricolor  

Growing Tips: Surface sow seeds directly in the garden after danger of frost, barely covering. Requires full sun. Tolerates heat and drought but does best with average moisture and fertility.