Growing Amaranth, also Love-lies-bleeding

Amaranthus caudatus : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

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

(Best months for growing Amaranth in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 18°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 7-8 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Onions, corn, peppers, egg plant, tomatoes
  • Amaranth flowers
  • Amaranth seedling (CC BY-SA 3.0 Bruce Ackley, Ohio State University)

Amaranth species are frequently grown as flower plants and have many colour variations.

Amaranth tricolor is known as Chinese spinach and has an insignificant flower.

Needs a warm sunny position. Avoid heavy soils. Poor germination rates are common.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Amaranth

Both leaves and seeds can be used. Excessive intake is not recommended.
Suggestions for use and warnings can be found here http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth

Your comments and tips

02 Sep 09, nola matthews (Australia - temperate climate)
I am having trouble finding amaranth & love lies bleeding seeds. Please help as I have been looking for 2 years!
21 Oct 19, Shirley Chang (Australia - temperate climate)
Nola, www.theseedcollection.com.au has several types!
03 Sep 09, Michelle (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We have some amaranth seeds from the company The Lost Seed, based in Tasmania. 03 6239 9185 www.thelostseed.com.au [email protected]
03 Sep 09, Wendy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Got mine from Realseeds.co.uk.
04 Sep 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
eden seeds has leaf & grain amaranth
16 Dec 09, Bronwyn Millford (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Country Romsey, Vic and have these plants just coming up..again,.,,have had them for years since my mother gave thenm too me..they are just gorgeous..i give the seedlings away each year to friends and they all love them
25 Dec 09, Mei (Australia - temperate climate)
Bought seeds from Diggers Club - details for Diggers Club can be found in gardening magazines e. g. Gardening Australia
18 Apr 16, Christine (Australia - arid climate)
My amaranth has seeds growing on main stem and around stem with no top flowers or seeds. Like feathers as I've seen in pictures. Is this an edible seed?
20 Apr 16, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes, amaranth seed is edible
14 Jan 10, Garry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can someone tell me if this is an edible plant ?I have heard the name before but no little about it.I love growing and eating the unusual.
Showing 1 - 10 of 94 comments

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