Growing Amaranth, also Love-lies-bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                P P P  

(Best months for growing Amaranth in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed

September: Sow after frost

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 64°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-8 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, corn, peppers, egg plant, tomatoes

Your comments and tips

07 Feb 17, Derek Wright (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Anywhere in SA that I can buy Amaranthus seeds, red and green
08 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I would check the internet. there are a lot of seed companies that have alternative, heritage and less common seeds. You may also get them from a community garden or permaculture group. One seed supplier in SA is www.organicseeds.co.za but there a a number of other suppliers listing them on the internet. Trust this helps.
05 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Where did amaranths orginate from
06 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Amaranth originated in Central America and was used by the Aztecs for thousands of years. It is often called an 'ancient grain' but is not actually a cereal. Trust this helps.
16 Oct 19, Darko (Australia - temperate climate)
Amaranth growing wild for centuries all over Balkans and am not sure if this is the same variety but we had it before Columbus and eat at emergency situation, wars, famine... Before converting to Christianity.
06 Jun 16, Amber (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I was intending to use amaranth as a companion plant to work as a trellis for beans. It just recently reached a foot, and today I just noticed a flower stalk coming up. If I cut off the flower stalk is there a chance on it continuing to grow taller? Will the flower stalk be tall and strong enough to work as a trellis? Or should I just figure on putting posts in the ground to grow the beans?
23 Apr 21, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Amber, it would be cheaper and more effective to use a bamboo trellis.
18 May 16, caryl (Australia - temperate climate)
please tell me what type of soil is best do i add worm castings and manure asvwell as compost
06 Mar 16, jibsoz (Australia - temperate climate)
I heard Amaranth is good to grow as a sacrificial plant. Plant amongst veggies so the bugs eat them not your veggies
20 Mar 16, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a beautiful red and green large leaf variety in my veg garden but it does self seed readily so be careful
Showing 31 - 40 of 94 comments

Hi, can you please tell me is this amaranthus plant you are talking about an eatable vegetable. In hindi the call it thotakura and the use it in chutneys and curry as a green leaf veg... So I would if you can advise me, Kind regards Helen.

- Helen

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