Introduction
What is red amaranth? It is a warm-season crop grown for colorful leaves, flowers, and seed. Amaranthus cruentus is one edible species used for greens and amaranth grain. Amaranth has a long history as a crop in Central America and other parts of the Americas, and today it is grown in North America and around the world.
Is red amaranth edible? Yes, when you choose an edible amaranth plant intended for food use. The young leaves can be cooked in a stir fry, while mature seeds can be cooked as a grain.
Choosing Red Amaranth
There are many types of amaranth grown for leaves, grain, or as ornamental plants. A burgundy amaranth plant may have deep red foliage, while a red amaranth flower adds bold color to the garden.
Love lies bleeding is known for its long, hanging flower clusters. Hopi Red Dye is another colorful choice, and some varieties can reach several feet tall.
What color is amaranth seed? It depends on the variety. Seeds may be pale, tan, brown, or black seed.
Browse our amaranth seeds, Garnet Red Amaranth Greens, and Hopi Red Dye Amaranth when comparing varieties of amaranth.
Planting Red Amaranth
Growing amaranth from seed is simple in warm weather. For amaranth planting, wait until frost danger has passed and the soil is warm. Minnesota Extension recommends soil temperatures near 60°F before sowing seeds outdoors.
An amaranth growing zone does not provide an exact planting date. Check your USDA growing zone, then use local frost dates and soil temperatures. The red amaranth growing season is the warm, frost-free part of the year.
Choose full sun and well draining soil. Amaranth prefers soil around pH 6.0–7.0. Read our guide to understanding soil pH.
Because the seeds are tiny, plant them shallowly and keep the surface moist while they germinate. What do amaranth seedlings look like? They begin as tiny sprouts with two seed leaves before developing true leaves.
Use amaranth seeds for planting from a reliable source. Containers also work well; see our guide to urban gardening without a yard.
Amaranthus Care
How to grow red amaranth starts with warmth, sunlight, weed control, and steady moisture while plants establish. Growing amaranth does not require heavy fertilizer in every garden.
Base feeding on soil conditions. Our fertilizer guide explains common fertilizer forms, while drip irrigation supplies can help deliver water near the roots.
Is red amaranth perennial? Usually no. For gardeners asking red amaranth annual or perennial, the crop is generally grown as an annual and is killed by frost.
Harvesting Red Amaranth
How to harvest red amaranth leaves is simple: pick tender leaves while leaving enough foliage for continued growth. Minnesota Extension says leaves can be harvested once plants are about 8 inches tall.
When to harvest red amaranth for grain comes later. When is amaranth ready to harvest? Minnesota Extension gives about 90–100 days for mature seed, although cultivar and weather affect timing.
During amaranth harvesting, watch the seed heads mature. When to harvest amaranth is better judged by mature seeds that release easily from the flower head than by color alone.
To harvest amaranth seeds, cut mature heads during dry weather and place them in paper bags or over a clean container. Let them dry, then rub or thresh the heads and separate the seed from the chaff. That is the basic method for how to harvest amaranth and how to harvest amaranth seeds.
For a dried flower, cut decorative stems before heavy seed shedding begins.
Conclusion
How to grow amaranth depends on what you want to harvest. Leaf varieties provide greens early, while grain types need more time for mature seed.
Red amaranth is easy to grow once warm weather arrives. Choose the right cultivar, provide sun and drainage, and harvest at the right stage. For another warm-season grain crop, see our guide to growing popcorn.
