This plant grows best in average, well-drained soil.
It requires at least six hours of sunlight, acidic soil, and temperatures between 70F and 85F.
Leave about 1 foot of space between each plant.
The Spruce / Loren Probish
The corn will increase water retention in the soil and help prevent weeds.
Generally, plant amaranth in a location where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day.
Soil
Amaranth grows well in average soils and will even grow adequately in poor soils.
The Spruce / Loren Probish
Water
Amaranth plants have average needs for water, requiring no more than 1 inch per week.
Take care not to overwater them or risk root rot orfungal diseases.
Temperature and Humidity
Unlike other leafy green vegetables, amaranth is happy in the heat.
The Spruce / Loren Probish
The plant thrives best in temperatures between 70F and 85F.
Fertilizer
Amaranth doesn’t require any supplemental feeding.
Types of Amaranth
Amaranth is an ancient crop originating in the Americas.
If you want to harvest the amaranth grain, you should cultivate larger plants specifically grown for their seeds.
Some popular varieties include:
Harvesting Amaranth
To harvest amaranth grains, let the plant flower.
Keep an eye on the flowers as they bloom and die back.
Before they turn brown, cut the flowers off and place them in bags where they will dry.
Once dry, shake the bag or knock the seeds loose over a cloth.
Rinse away the dried seed chaff and enjoy your grain harvest.
Amaranth is especially good in a porridge containing other grains likemilletandquinoa.
Take the top half of the plant or the side leaves for recipes.
Pinch the plants for more manageable plants that don’t grow over 6 feet.
Cut back the center stem when the plants are about knee height.
Clipping the main stem will promote branching with smaller and easier-to-access stems.
Propagating Amaranth
Amaranth plants will readily self-seed in the garden.
However, you might also propagate amaranth bystem cuttingsand division.
These methods are faster than using seeds and produce identical plants.
Germination generally takes seven to 14 days.
Larger containers (10 gallons or more) are best for this plant.
Use well-draining potting soil and ensure the container has ample drainage holes.
Your best defense against root rot is maintaining well-drained soil and not overwatering the plant.
How to Get Amaranth to Bloom
Amaranth reliably blooms from midsummer to the first frost.
Bloom Months
Amaranth typically begins blooming in July.
How Long Does Amaranth Bloom?
Amaranth blooms from July to the first frost.
Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
What Do Amaranth Flowers Look and Smell Like?
see to it the plant is getting enough light.
Deadheading Amaranth Flowers
Deadheading encourages more blooms and also removes the risk of the plant self-seeding.
Common Problems with Amaranth
Amaranth is heat and drought-resistant and is easy to grow.
Underwatering is far less likely since it’s drought-resistant.
Bird Destruction
Use netting to keep away birds.
Birds love the seeds and will rip apart your flowers.
Netting may preserve your flowers but hinder pollinators from reaching your plants.
you’re able to also use the leaves of amaranth as a leafy vegetable.
If consumption is the goal, choose annual amaranth varieties marketed as edibles.
Nearly all amaranths are edible, includinglove-lies-bleedingand even the common roadside weedy forms.
Those sold as edible varieties are selected for their good seed production and especially tasty leaves.
Amaranth is an annual, so individual plants will not return.
However, the seeds will survive winter, so you may find new amaranth plants germinating in spring.
Amaranth plants typically require 40 to 50 days to grow to maturity.
Ameranth Leaves.World Vegetable Center.
