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

Your comments and tips

24 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Garry, Young amaranth leaves are edible and very nutritious! Used a lot in Asia as young leaves in salad, or steamed greens. It contains oxalic acid, so best not to eat raw in large quantities, but no problem if cooked in water for 2 minutes and discard the water
02 Nov 10, Marianne (Australia - temperate climate)
As amaranth has 18% protein, why does one of the biggest pesticide companies in the world rate it on top of their list of weeds ??
05 Nov 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Probably because it can out-compete other plants. If you're trying to grow maize you might not want a field of amaranth taking over instead..
27 Feb 11, Joe (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Have you ever watched landline on the ABC midday on sunday's. Some programs have explained the correlation of weedicides and Plant variety rights. So be cynical and all will be clear.
02 Nov 10, Annie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I bought amaranth seeds from the health store in Hobart. About $5 per kilo
04 Nov 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Were they unblanched viable seed? I've only found blanched (and therefore dead and ungrowable) in our local store.
11 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
If your looking for Amaranth seeds try diggers.com there and aussie company and have large range of seeds and they have an online shop
10 Nov 10, David (Australia - temperate climate)
I was having problems locating the seeds in Perth. Bunnings did not have them and my local Waldecks had never heard of Amaranth. I finally managed to buy them on ebay. The seller has a website - australianseed.com Does anyone have any tips on how to get seeds to germinate successfully?
11 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
With Amaranth you need to use a seed raising mix but dont raise them in a tray they do best direct sown. Keep the soil moist until they germinate (nice sunny spot),i recommend you thin them out to 30cm spaces between plants as they grow and be prepared for them to get as tall as 8-9 feet tall if your soil is high in nitrogen.
06 Sep 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
Chia seeds from Kakulus Bros in William Street will grow into Amarantus- I ended up with different types according to Black, white etc Chia seeds... found out by accident when the moths got into the seed in my cupboard and I threw it into my chicken coop! Some of them reached 3m tall, careful though they are difficult to harvest and come up everywhere!
Showing 11 - 20 of 68 comments

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