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 S S
T T T             T T T
P P             P P P P

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

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: sow after risk of frost has gone

  • 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

16 May 14, Damien (Australia - temperate climate)
Amaranth is best sown into the spot it will grow and left alone. If it is in a pot, you can just leave it and it will flower and seed for you to collect more seeds when the flowers dry out and then you can plant more wherever you like the next time you sow :) Beautiful plant with very striking colours.
17 Jun 18, Jane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grew Amaranth (love lies bleeding) last year and it is an amazing, diverse plant.I did notice at onepoint, small, black bees were attracted to the amaranth. They might have been native bees. I know zilch about and had never tried seed saving, however, I put a bag over the amaranth flower heads, gave them a few good shakes and this year sowed some of the amaranth seeds. I'm thrilled that the seeds are now seedlings - some of which I have planted (at one part of) on the Western fence of my vege garden where they seem to dowell.I am going to plant more along the Southern fence of a vege garden in another area that may get a little more shade and see how they do. The leaves are somewhat bitter compared to many other leafy greens but versatile and delish! May not be suitable for some health conditions so just check. Yum. And pretty! Mine grew to about 4.5 high although I believe they can tower.Similarly, Giant Chicory?
21 May 14, Georgina (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you
02 Apr 14, Daphne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow amaranth with a matured branch, leaving in water for few days. Will they develop roots so that I can plant them?? If not, I can buy a bunch from Chinese vegetable shop. They do not have picketed seeds. If not, Where can I get the seeds??
01 Aug 16, geoff ebbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have a small amount of seed from the locsl seedsaver network and a healthy six plants which will produce more. Happy to send seeds through mail. [email protected]
02 Sep 15, Susannah Oldfield (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try Eden Seeds for any of your seeds in Australia. They are non-hybrid & organic too.
02 Dec 13, caryl (Australia - temperate climate)
where can i buy amaranth seeds or seedlings,i live on morning ton peninsular,vic ,australia
07 Feb 15, Andrew Page-Robertson (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought seeds from Masters in Mornington, the range is called "A taste of the Americas' and its sold as AMARANTHUS Calaloo red leaf, brand Johnsons
24 Jan 14, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Digger's Club also has seeds. I have the Red Amaranth from them growing well and ready to start harvesting at the moment.
14 Dec 13, Rachael (Australia - arid climate)
You can buy them of ebay or seeds2freedom have a great selection too.
Showing 21 - 30 of 68 comments

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?

- Amber

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