The information on this page only applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Amaranthus cruentu. This versatile plant has edible seeds and sweet tasting bright veined leaves that are similar to spinach that are high in calcium and iron. It is also a beautiful fushia colour. This variety can grow up to 7 feet tall and originates from Sonora, Mexico and has been grown by the Aztecs and Southwestern Native Americans for a millennia. The small grain is naturally gluten free, rich in lysine and can be toasted and popped, ground into flour, or eaten whole. Mature roots can even be be eaten, similar to a parsnip.
Plant amaranth in warm weather and watch it explode and then harvest the seeds to add to your granola or grind it into a high protein (non-gluten) flour for bread making.[1]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
When to Plant Your Seedling
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 60-90 F | Rich and well drained | Water once to twice a week during dry periods |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Row Spacing | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Seedlings 10-12" | Looks good grown in clumps or groups | 110-150 days from seed but can harvest leaves at any time |
- Additional instructions: Fertilize once to twice a season with a good general all purpose fertilizer, alternatively it also grows well in rich well composted soil.
- Heat and drought resistant
- Harvesting instructions: This link has great seed/grain harvesting instructions: http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingamaranth.html
- Common Diseases and Pests
- Anthracnose, Damping-off and Wet rot Fungus [4]
- Pigweed Weevil [4]
Useful Resources
- https://www.nativeseeds.org/collections/amaranth/amaranthus-cruentus (Seed Source)
- https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/c019?_pos=1&_sid=bcc1c68dd&_ss=r
- http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingamaranth.html
- https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/amaranth/infos
- https://sfbaygardening.com/resources/bay-area-planting-calendar/
- https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/amaranth/infos
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.